Between the concussions (Hodgman, Christie) and some sore bodies (Goodhue), there'll be a bit of rotation next week for the Drua.

Possible team:

1 Lay
2 Riccitelli
3 Laulala
4 Tucker
5 Darry
6 Robinson
7 Choat
8 Plumtree

9 Funaki
10 Perofeta
11 Telea
12 RTS
13 Heem/Tele'a/Tua
14 Lam
15 Sullivan

16 Vikena
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Renata
19 Suafoa
20 Ekuasi/Ioane/Papalii
21 Milo-Harris
22 McKenzie/Barrett
23 Evans/Tele'a/Heem/Tua

Might be more rotation in the loose forwards. Telea might get a rest too.

@tim Sotutu has had a big workload too hasnt he?

@taniwharugby Yeah, would expect one of Plumtree, Ioane, or Ekuasi to replace him?

@tim said in Blues v Drua:

12 RTS
13 Heem/Tele'a/Tua

RTS is almost a certainty at 12

Probably Tele'a at 13? While Heem is probably more likely to start a big game if RI was out, Tele'a needs the game time

@duluth said in Blues v Drua:

Heem

Interesting that he's signed for Auckland this year. He's 33, so I wonder if we can squeeze one more year out of him as a squad utility player?

@tim

Looks like his pace is still good?

Until guys like Tele'a and/or Tua force their way past him I would still pick him

Reckon Segner will get a run at 8 myself, and maybe Plumtree at 6?

@Dan54 Good call, forgot about Segner.

Blues C team would win by 20.

@NTA said in Blues v Drua:

Blues C team would win by 20.

Remember we lost to the Sunwolves a few years ago.

Take nothing for granted

@NTA NZ TAB has the Blues at 32 pt start.

@Tim said in Blues v Drua:

@NTA NZ TAB has the Blues at 32 pt start.

Pessimist arseholes

@Tim said in Blues v Drua:

@Dan54 Good call, forgot about Segner.

I was just thinking the same thing about the Sunwolves. Blues do have good depth, just can't take the Drua lightly

@Tim they might start Karl before Lay. I thought I heard the commentators say he had issues with his leg and was limping.

I'd be looking to start Barrett.

He hasn't played that much rugby this year and the Blues will need his experience with presumably a lot of younger players getting a run.

From Blues Instagram -
Few injuries to report from the weekend

Finlay Christie and Alex Hodgman both fall under HIA protocols and will be unavailable for selection, both available for Perth

Josh Goodhue has broken his thumb and will miss several weeks

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Blues v Drua:

From Blues Instagram -
Few injuries to report from the weekend

Finlay Christie and Alex Hodgman both fall under HIA protocols and will be unavailable for selection, both available for Perth

Josh Goodhue has broken his thumb and will miss several weeks

Goodhue is a big blow, the NZ locking stocks sure are taking a beating this year. One way to blood new players I guess.

Blues by

points

@KiwiMurph Yeah keep Barrett out there, and RTS back at 12 with Rieko outside him as they need some time to work together.

I'm sure there will be a bit of rotation, but would like to see a few combos kept together.