Canes were back at training today for a massive match this weekend in a way of a top of the table clash against the Blues.

A couple players could be missing from this game for the Canes. Lomax and Flanders didn’t train today apparently so are likely out of contention. Shields will likely start and Mafileo/Tosi will share the tighthead duties.

Harkin is available again so I’m expecting the following 23:

1. Numia
2. Aumua
3. Mafileo
4. Delany
5. Dearns
6. Shields
7. Kirifi
8. Lakai
9. Roigard
10. Love
11. Fineanganofo
12. Barrett
13. Proctor
14. Moorby
15. Harkin
16. Bason
17. Lauaki
18. Tosi
19. Walker-Leawere
20. Iose
21. Enari
22. Rova
23. Sullivan

Not sure if any Blues fellas can shed some light on the status of the Blues for this week. Any returns or injuries to note?

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Not sure if any Blues fellas can shed some light on the status of the Blues for this week. Any returns or injuries to note?

I would expect Papalii, Sotutu, Eklund, Zarn and Perofeta back in the 23.

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Not sure if any Blues fellas can shed some light on the status of the Blues for this week. Any returns or injuries to note?

I would expect Papalii, Sotutu, Eklund, Zarn and Perofeta back in the 23.

Not a bad crew to bring back.

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Not sure if any Blues fellas can shed some light on the status of the Blues for this week. Any returns or injuries to note?

I would expect Papalii, Sotutu, Eklund, Zarn and Perofeta back in the 23.

Loose mix gets interesting. Which out of Segner, Wrampling and Barnes misses the 23?

@Duluth said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@KiwiMurph said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Not sure if any Blues fellas can shed some light on the status of the Blues for this week. Any returns or injuries to note?

I would expect Papalii, Sotutu, Eklund, Zarn and Perofeta back in the 23.

Loose mix gets interesting. Which out of Segner, Wrampling and Barnes misses the 23?

Probably Wrampling. Segner is the most experienced out of the three and Barnes has been in great touch.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Canes go a 6-2 split to counteract the big Blues forwards.

Been a big year for Higgins, doesn't even get a mention in the unavailable list. Hope you're doing ok @canes4life

@Bones said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Been a big year for Higgins, doesn't even get a mention in the unavailable list. Hope you're doing ok @canes4life

Thanks mate, I'm still in mourning at the fact that he's very likely leaving us.

Surely this stage is absolutely perfect for a dramatic return of Riley Higgins.

@sparky said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Surely this stage is absolutely perfect for a dramatic return of Riley Higgins.

Would be nice, who needs Jordie.

This is a good top of the table match up. Top of the table Canes who have scored the most points and conceded the least points vs the 2nd on the table Blues.

Canes have only played the Reds from the top 6 who are sixth on the ladder.

Blues have played the Chiefs, the Brumbies, and the Crusaders from the top 6.

So while the Canes are at the top they are relatively untested so far. Canes have a game in hand compared to the Blues and home team advantage.

The break means the Canes lose a bit of momentum where as the Blues probably get a few key players back.

@brodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

This is a good top of the table match up. Top of the table Canes who have scored the most points and conceded the least points vs the 2nd on the table Blues.

Canes have only played the Reds from the top 6 who are sixth on the ladder.

Blues have played the Chiefs, the Brumbies, and the Crusaders from the top 6.

So while the Canes are at the top they are relatively untested so far. Canes have a game in hand compared to the Blues and home team advantage.

The break means the Canes lose a bit of momentum where as the Blues probably get a few key players back.

Yep, this will tell us where the Canes are truely at. If they go out and put another 50 on this week then they will rightfully be favourites for the comp.

I’m expecting a close encounter, Canes 1-12 at home. Roigard could be the difference maker with his ability to attack around the ruck.

Lakai vs Sotutu, Kirifi vs Papali’i, Love vs Barrett, Proctor vs Lam, Dearns vs Darry and Fineanganofo vs Clarke. Plenty of match-ups to look forward to.

@Canes4life isn't Flanders stand down concussion protocols.

@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@Canes4life isn't Flanders stand down concussion protocols.

We had the bye last week, so he should be available now. However, they may be giving him another week to recover.

Lomax was pulled just before the Reds game, extent of injury unknown but he's also unlikely for Saturday.

We will know for sure tomorrow if any of them will be available.

UPDATE: Lomax in a moon boot.

Rennie spotted at Blues training today.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@brodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

This is a good top of the table match up. Top of the table Canes who have scored the most points and conceded the least points vs the 2nd on the table Blues.

Canes have only played the Reds from the top 6 who are sixth on the ladder.

Blues have played the Chiefs, the Brumbies, and the Crusaders from the top 6.

So while the Canes are at the top they are relatively untested so far. Canes have a game in hand compared to the Blues and home team advantage.

The break means the Canes lose a bit of momentum where as the Blues probably get a few key players back.

Yep, this will tell us where the Canes are truely at. If they go out and put another 50 on this week then they will rightfully be favourites for the comp.

I’m expecting a close encounter, Canes 1-12 at home. Roigard could be the difference maker with his ability to attack around the ruck.

Lakai vs Sotutu, Kirifi vs Papali’i, Love vs Barrett, Proctor vs Lam, Dearns vs Darry and Fineanganofo vs Clarke. Plenty of match-ups to look forward to.

Blues have the second best defence in the comp after the Canes so should provide a challenge for the Canes attack and more pressure. Agree that Canes 1 to 12 is probably the most likely outcome at this time.

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Rennie spotted at Blues training today.

Doing the rounds

@brodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@brodean said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

This is a good top of the table match up. Top of the table Canes who have scored the most points and conceded the least points vs the 2nd on the table Blues.

Canes have only played the Reds from the top 6 who are sixth on the ladder.

Blues have played the Chiefs, the Brumbies, and the Crusaders from the top 6.

So while the Canes are at the top they are relatively untested so far. Canes have a game in hand compared to the Blues and home team advantage.

The break means the Canes lose a bit of momentum where as the Blues probably get a few key players back.

Yep, this will tell us where the Canes are truely at. If they go out and put another 50 on this week then they will rightfully be favourites for the comp.

I’m expecting a close encounter, Canes 1-12 at home. Roigard could be the difference maker with his ability to attack around the ruck.

Lakai vs Sotutu, Kirifi vs Papali’i, Love vs Barrett, Proctor vs Lam, Dearns vs Darry and Fineanganofo vs Clarke. Plenty of match-ups to look forward to.

Blues have the second best defence in the comp after the Canes so should provide a challenge for the Canes attack and more pressure. Agree that Canes 1 to 12 is probably the most likely outcome at this time.

The Canes are oozing confidence atm, but the Blues definitely have the ability to dampen their hopes.

Two teams with contrasting styles make it an intriguing contest and I'd have to see both team lists before making a definitive guess as who will likely come out on top.

All this talk about it being the Canes' first tough opposition, the Blues also haven't come up against the Canes yet, so it will be a great marker as to where these two sides sit.

It's a big game, but it's not that big.

Canes slight favourites at home. They play each other again and the Blues will probably be slight favourites at Eden Park.

Blues are currently 4th ranked of the NZ sides according to the TAB. We're handling a transition year reasonably well, but thats a fair reflection of where we are based depth/injuries. If you disagree - make some money

The only way I see this match having a big impact on the season is if the Canes lose comfortably

@Duluth said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

It's a big game, but it's not that big.

Canes slight favourites at home. They play each other again and the Blues will probably be slight favourites at Eden Park.

Blues are currently 4th ranked of the NZ sides according to the TAB. We're handling a transition year reasonably well, but thats a fair reflection of where we are based depth/injuries. If you disagree - make some money

The only way I see this match having a big impact on the season is if the Canes lose comfortably

Or if the Blues lose massively. We know how much that has rattled the Reds.

Mr Barnes at Canes training today.

lol Filimone is wearing starter kit this week, hopefully that doesn’t meant he’s in the 23.

Saw.an image showing Mr Rennie at blues training, so coaches getting out and about.

Didn’t see Dalton training in any of the Blues socials, neither Sotutu for that matter,

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

lol Filimone is wearing starter kit this week, hopefully that doesn’t meant he’s in the 23.

No he isn’t in the 23. It’s the usual backline with Harkin at 15

@Landers92 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

@Canes4life said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

lol Filimone is wearing starter kit this week, hopefully that doesn’t meant he’s in the 23.

No he isn’t in the 23. It’s the usual backline with Harkin at 15

Am I right that Flanders and Lomax won't be available? And I assume that Sullivan will drop to the bench?

@Canes4life I was told Lomax and Flanders are both out this week. Unsure on Sullivan at this stage sorry

Update: Flanders is named.

Sounds like Dalton and Hoskins are out.

@george33 said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Sounds like Dalton and Hoskins are out.

Probably a good fixture for them to rest and freshen up.

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (160)
2. Bradley Slater (4)
3. Marcel Renata (73)
4. Josh Beehre (34)
5. Sam Darry (c) (40)
6. Che Clark (7)
7. Anton Segner (45)
8. Malachi Wrampling (3)
9. Finlay Christie (75)
10. Beauden Barrett (48)
11. Caleb Clarke (82)
12. Xavi Taele (12)
13. AJ Lam (65)
14. Codemeru Vai (7)
15. Zarn Sullivan (48)

Reserves: 16. James Mullan (10), 17. Mason Tupaea (15), 18. Sam Matenga (5), 19. Tristyn Cook (2), 20. Torian Barnes (6), 21. Taufa Funaki (38), 22. Pita Ahki (20), 23. Payton Spencer (2)

Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (bicep), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Dalton Papali’i (back), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Hoskins Sotutu (knee), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder)

Blues are going miss Papalii and Sotutu. Depth in front row a risk too.

Canes should win fairly comfortably.

Most looking forward to see how Ruben Love goes at 10 to be honest.

On paper (and based on how both teams have played this year) Canes should be too strong but should be a really good game.

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley

TMO: Brett Cronan

@Tim hang on this will be very close.
Really like the bench also . Hurricanes with there bench bit worried about Blues pack.
Taele yes at 12.

Really happy with that side, sucks to hear Lomax will be out for some time.

Canes to hopefully continue their momentum on Sat and show why they are the real deal this year.

@george33 Any idea on how long Papalii etc are out for?

@Tim said in Hurricanes vs Blues:

Referee: Nic Berry

Assistant Referees: Reuben Keane, Louis Trisley

TMO: Brett Cronan

Shame we don’t get Angus for this one. Not a fan of Berry.

@Tim something going down with Dalton.
Stay or Go . Rennie in camp just wonder.