@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@foobaNZ Ardie needs a rest, one match wasn't the end of the world, he is a real battering ram. When is TJ returning or is that just a picture of him training?
There’s been two weeks of footy. Doubt he needs a rest right now, if he does then there should be alarm bells ringing.
@Stargazer said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@SBW1 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Canes4life He was Crusader before going to Japan and I believe he was rated as a future All Black candidate for the 10 jersey. I realize that was a few years ago.
Cameron has one ABs cap, and was a member of the ABs squad of 50 that played against Japan in 2018. At that time, he'd only played one game for the Crusaders (6 minutes) and two seasons of NPC for Canterbury. One of the most controversial selections in Hansen's final years as head coach. I don't think anyone else saw him as a future AB at the time.
He was pretty uninspiring for the Crusaders and after Burke came into their squad in 2020, it was clear he'd be overtaken in the pecking order. He barely got game time (13 games in three seasons of which 2 starts; on average less than 20 minutes per game). That's why he went to Japan in the first half of 2022. He had a good NPC season for Manawatū in 2021, probably the reason why the Canes signed him, but didn't have the same impact in 2022.
We can only hope that he's matured in the last few years, has learned a lot and has improved since his days at the Crusaders, otherwise he won't be of much use to the Canes. Any improvement on Jackson G-B is a positive, but is he? We'll find out, I guess.
I’d have to agree with you here, I’m not sure if Cameron is going to offer much more, if any more than JGB did last year. In the past he has looked pretty ordinary for the Crusaders and nothing has shown me he has made any sort of improvement. I guess time will tell.
I feel like out of all the fly halves coming through, Godfrey is the man I would be backing to be the Canes ten long term. Maybe I’m jumping the gun a little here and I could very well be wrong but from what I’ve seen of him, he looks to have all the skills to succeed. He has a bigger boot than Morgan, he’s quicker than Morgan and he seems to read the game really well. Another campaign with the Under 20s next week should showcase the growth he’s had over the last year.
Shame he did't get more game time in the last 2 weeks.
If the Blues select a competent tight five this week, I can't see the Canes winning without their talisman.
@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
If the Blues select a competent first five this week, I can't see the Canes winning without their talisman.
Don't forget this part.
@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@antipodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
If the Blues select a competent **first five** this week, I can't see the Canes winning without their talisman.Don't forget this part.
I understand they will and he'll be playing at fullback
Hurricanes named to face the Blues at Sky Stadium on Saturday:
1. Xavier Numia
2. Dane Coles (c)
3. Tyrel Lomax
4. James Blackwell
5. Isaia Walker-Leawere
6. Devan Flanders
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi
8. Peter Lakai
9. Cameron Roigard
10. Brett Cameron *
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. Jordie Barrett
13. Billy Proctor
14. Julian Savea
15. Josh Moorby
Replacements:
16. Asafo Aumua
17. Pouri Rakete-Stones
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Caleb Delany
20. TK Howden
21. Jamie Booth **
22. Aidan Morgan
23. Riley Higgins
Unavailable for selection: Ruben Love, Bailyn Sullivan, Daniel Sinkinson, Tyler Laubscher, Reed Prinsep, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Justin Sangster, TJ Perenara, Jacob Devery.
Suspension: Ardie Savea, Tevita Mafileo
Pretty settled side to be honest, interesting to see Brett Cameron get the nod without taking the field yet. Dane Coles to captain the side, Flanders back at 6, Lakai to start in his favoured position for the first time.
Bring it on Blues. If we can get up without our charismatic leader, that will be massive for our season.
1 Joshua Fusitu’a
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 James Lay
4 Patrick Tuipulotu
5 Cameron Suafoa
6 Tom Robinson
7 Dalton Papalii
8 Hoskins Sotutu
9 Finlay Christie
10 Beauden Barrett
11 Caleb Clarke
12 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
13 Rieko Ioane
14 AJ Lam
15 Stephen Perofeta
Reserves:
16 Kurt Eklund
17 Alex Hodgman
18 Nepo Laulala
19 James Tucker
20 Adrian Choat
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Bryce Heem
23 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Players not considered: Sam Darry (knee), Akira Ioane (knee), Sam Nock (calf), Harry Plummer (ribs), Mark Telea (concussion), Ofa Tuungafasi (concussion)
Yes, broken record:
Again, no Zarn Sullivan! :angry_face:
Sad that he's contracted to the Blues until the end of the 2024 season. He should ask for an early release so he can move elsewhere.
Hurricanes media release:
Blues media release:
@Canes4life Good to see Flanders and PRS back in the team
But still no Bird. I would prefer Delany to cover 6 with Lakai covering 7. And Flanders 8
Franks dropped. Or just rested
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
Pretty settled side to be honest, interesting to see Brett Cameron get the nod without taking the field yet. Dane Coles to captain the side, Flanders back at 6, Lakai to start in his favoured position for the first time.
Bring it on Blues. If we can get up without our charismatic leader, that will be massive for our season.
If Cameron is no good (hope he steps up though) then I would like to see Barrett tried at first in some games. Higgins at 2nd. Canes can't win it all with a limited 1st
Expect an easy enough blues win
Coles as captain is surprising. Kirifi is likely to last on the field longer. Barrett is another option. There's always Blackwell too. But maybe it's best to start with Coles
And Dan Sinkinson has been removed at last so 
@Winger an easy Blues win, even after last week? You're confident.
I feel like we've got more experience across the board but I get what you're saying. Brett Cameron will need to take command.
6-15 the Blues look very strong.
It would also make more sense to throw Love the 10 jersey, bring Higgins into 12 and move Barrett back to fullback.
@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:
@Winger an easy Blues win, even after last week? You're confident.
I feel like we've got more experience across the board but I get what you're saying. Brett Cameron will need to take command.
6-15 the Blues look very strong.
It would also make more sense to throw Love the 10 jersey, bring Higgins into 12 and move Barrett back to fullback.
An easy ENOUGH win. Not a thrashing but say a 10-15 point win (due mainly to a superior backline. And without Savea loose forwards). And overall dominating the game. But Canes could still cause an upset even without Savea. Home advantage is one factor but this team if it clicks could beat anyone.
Regarding Love at first. He hasn't shown yet that he's got the qualities as a 1st 5. Even at NPC level. He might eventually make it but on the other hand he looks like a FB. And I doubt if Jordie wants to move back to FB when there are 2 other options. But a few games at first due to a Cane's weakness (assuming Cameron is only OK) will likely be acceptable. And the team needs to keep the best players happy. So Savea plays 8 not 7 as another example
