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Rugby: Injured Ioane ruled out for Blues; NZ Herald

Started by Just_win8 REPLIES228 VIEWS· 17 Feb 2016, 07:47
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JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
17 Feb 2016, 07:47
#1
17 Feb 2016, 07:47#1

Akira Ioane has been ruled out of the Blues' pre-season match against the Chiefs at Pukekohe on Friday due to a hamstring strain.

Ioane's brother, Rieko, and Ben Lam will play after their return from New Zealand sevens duties, but strike weapon Ioane will have the weekend off, although assistant coach Paul Feeney expects the big loose forward to be available for the team's first competition match against the Highlanders at Eden Park.

The trio have arrived back at the Blues after two triumphant sevens tournaments in Wellington and Sydney, with all three playing big parts.

Rieko, 18, has yet to play a Super Rugby match, and will spend time at centre and wing against the Chiefs, with Lam due to play on the wing.

Skipper Jerome Kaino said the trio had returned "seamlessly".

"They're a huge part of our team and also Ben Lam, so it's great to have them on board and I'm excited to see what they can do on the pitch," he said.

Blues starting XV v Chiefs

15. Lolagi Visinia
14. Melani Nanai
13. Rene Ranger
12. George Moala
11. Tevita Li
10. Ihaia West
9. Bryn Hall
8. Steven Luatua
7. Blake Gibson
6. Jerome Kaino (c)
5. Josh Bekhuis
4. Hoani Matenga
3. Sione Mafileo
2. Quentin MacDonald
1. Ofa Tu'ungafasi

Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Namatahi Waa, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kara Pryor, Joe Edwards, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Male Sa'u, Rieko Ioane, Ben Lam, Matt Duffie.

NZ Herald

JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
17 Feb 2016, 07:48
#2
17 Feb 2016, 07:48#2
 Glad the headline proved to be an exaggeration - it sounded like he was out for the season. They planned to bring him into the 15 man game slowly anyway.
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
17 Feb 2016, 08:17
#3
17 Feb 2016, 08:17#3
 JW
I have been trying to follow the pre-season matches in Australia and New Zealand - but the reports in the media has been scrappy.  Sometimes on Planet Rugby is discussed in advance - but there is no match report and even when their is one the actuial match result is not given.
As to the team line-up I noticed the return of Ranger and I have always liked Moala - but the team does not look different from the one last year.   The change in coach may work wonders and for the sake of the team I hope they do better than they did last year.

 

JW
Just_winCaptain18,570 posts
17 Feb 2016, 08:32
#4
17 Feb 2016, 08:32#4
 CleverMike, yes it is yet another "fresh start" with a new coach but we are eternally optimistic
BL
bluebokPro3,977 posts
17 Feb 2016, 08:42
#5
17 Feb 2016, 08:42#5
On the injury situation, the SA teams are currently being plagued by injuries and the season has not even started yet! I think South African rugby is doing something very wrong with regards to preseason training! It my just be a perception of mine, but the Australasian teams don't seem to suffer anywhere near the number of injuries we do building up to the start of the season?    
CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
17 Feb 2016, 11:12
#6
17 Feb 2016, 11:12#6
bluebook 
There seems to be a reason for the string of injuries incurred by SA players and the reason seems to be the Japan excursion of players.  Instead of giving their bodies a time to recover the rush over to Japan to play there.  The most serious injuries to players like Pollard and De Allende in fact happened in japan or immediately after their return from there.   
Some local players injuries happened in the pre-season training - but one wonders whether the players are required to play games before they are fully fit.  That is as dangerous as the Japan excursion is.
The third category of injuries seems to flow from the games they played.  The Sharks had two particularly strong opponents in France - on heavy fields which they are not used to play on.  
I think the number of injuries remains a problem - but it seems they need a physical advisor in each team to make sure injuries are minimized.        
BR
BrycyPro4,671 posts
17 Feb 2016, 12:54
#7
17 Feb 2016, 12:54#7

 ...Chiefs have also had their share of injuries before the season has even started...season ending for two of their new star imports in Karpik and Laulala...  Bird also a new import is out for seven weeks...


Huge losses for the Chiefs..


Then there;s halfback Augustine Pulu with a broken arm 8 - 10 weeks ....luckily the Chiefs have Weber and Kerr Barlow so good depth in that dept..


Speaking of Kerr Barlow check out his form in last weekend's preseason clash with the Tahs....not too shabby


Chiefs v Tahs highlghts


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D3FsK3gxHY

CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
17 Feb 2016, 13:20
#9
17 Feb 2016, 13:20#9
Tghanks - my friend will have a look at the reports.  
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