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Disruptive injuries at the Blues could open the door for an Akira Ioane return
Injuries were always going to play a major role in testing squad depth and determining the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
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One week in, the Blues may be forced to reshuffle their loose forwards after suffering multiple blows against the Hurricanes.
Spirits were high as the Blues trained at their Alexandra Park base on Tuesday following their opening-round 30-20 victory over the Hurricanes, but the combative nature of the New Zealand derbies is already taking its toll, with Tom Robinson and Blake Gibson absent from the squad and likely to miss Saturday’s trip to Hamilton to face the Chiefs.
Equally capable at lock, Robinson started in his favoured blindside flanker role against Hurricanes where he delivered another relentless shift but he is now awaiting scan results on a knee injury sustained on Sunday. Even if the injury is not severe, Robinson may not be risked at this early stage of the brutal 10-week derby competition.
Fellow flanker Gibson took a head knock and then came from the field with ice on his hamstring midway through the first half against the Hurricanes. Gibson’s absence from Tuesday training suggests the openside is unlikely to feature against the Chiefs, which could leave two starting spots to fill.
Fortunately for the Blues, if there is one area depth can cover injuries it is their loose forwards.
All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii replaced Gibson against the Hurricanes and impressed by snaffling two turnovers while contributing to a sound team defensive performance.
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The double injury blow could see the Blues promote Papalii into the seven jersey and recall Akira Ioane, who did not make the squad last week.
In naming his team last week Blues coach Leon MacDonald singled out Ioane as unlucky not to make the team, saying his skin folds were better than ever and noting he was pushing hard for his chance.
The door now appears to have quickly opened for Ioane to deliver his impact – either from the starting side, possibly on the blindside, or from bench against the Chiefs, with American international Tony Lamborn another option.
Likewise Papalii, should he get the nod to start alongside in-form No 8 Hoskins Sotutu, is ready to seize his chance to potentially challenge All Blacks captain Sam Cane, who missed the Chiefs’ loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin due to a back injury but is expected to return for the Blues.
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“Every New Zealand team is going to be tough – it’s a derby out there – so the body is feeling it but I’ll nail the recovery and get out there,” Papalii said. “Getting those minutes and that first turnover really helped with my confidence throughout the whole game. I felt like I carried that through so hopefully I’ll carry that into this week.
“Around the flanker position in the Blues it’s bloody tough we’ve got so many good players. It’s healthy competition we’re all pushing each other.”
This is wonderful ? https://t.co/ZV3474NaLJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 16, 2020
Papalii has played three tests for the All Blacks – one starting, two off the bench – since debuting in late 2018. While a versatile prospect comfortable in all three loose forward positions, the 22-year-old has his eyes firmly fixed on the seven jersey.
“I want to be a true seven going forward. I don’t want to be a Jack of all trades master of none. I want to really push myself and dominate the seven position but at the end of the day if the six and eight jersey pops up and I get to start and I get the minutes I want then why not. The end goal for me is to win a championship with the Blues so the closer we get to that the more sacrifices I’ll make.”
Despite 62 penalties being handed out in the opening round, Papalii endorsed the policy of cracking down on the breakdown during Super Rugby Aotearoa.
“I really enjoyed the rules. I felt there were more opportunities to go over the ball. You’re not milking any penalties you’re trying to steal it for counterattack so I think it’s actually given a bit of life to the seven position. For a while there they changed the rules and it sort of killed the seven role but these new rules it’s brought it back.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Nice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
38 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
38 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
38 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
10 Go to comments