Live blog: Blues v Highlanders
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All the Blues chat in the offseason has been about high profile signing Benji Marshall. How smooth will his transition be from league to rugby? Does he have what it takes to cut it at the top level? What position will he play? Well, tonight we will have to wait to find out because he is starting on the bench.
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Blues
15. Charles Piutau,14. Frank Halai,13. Jackson Willison,12. Francis Saili,11. George Moala,10. Chris Noakes,9. Piri Weepu,8. Peter Saili,7. Luke Braid,6. Steven Luatua,5. Tom Donnelly,4. Liaki Moli,3. Charlie Faumuina,2. James Parsons,1. Ofa Tu 'ungafasi,
Replacements : 16. Tom McCartney,17. Sam Prattley,18. Angus Ta 'avao,19. Patrick Tuipulotu,20. Brendon O 'Connor,21. Bryn Hall,22. Benji Marshall,23. Tevita Li -
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Highlanders
1 . Kane Hames , 2 . Liam Coltman , 3 . Chris King , 4 . Brad Thorn , 5 . Jarrad Hoeata , 6 . Gareth Evans , 7 . Shane Christie , 8 . Nasi Manu (co.captain) , 9 . Aaron Smith , 10 . Lima Sopoaga , 11 . Patrick Osborne , 12 . Shaun Treeby , 13 . Malakai Fekitoa , 14 . Richard Buckman , 15 . Ben Smith (co.captain)
Replacements : 16 . Ged Robinson, 17 . Matias Diaz, 18 . Craig Millar, 19 . Josh Bekhuis, 20 . TJ Ioane, 21 . Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 . Hayden Parker, 23 . Phil Burleigh -
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So, 30 minutes till kick off. Who you got? The TAB has the Blues as $1.70 favourites and the Highlanders at $2.05. Esteemed Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul is sitting next to me and has picked a Blues win tonight and also big Charlie Faumuina to score the first try at $40-1.
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HIGHLANDERS
This is a team that may slip under the radar and I believe that's where they're at their most comfortable. They didn't cope particularly well with the x-factor players they had last season and the increased expectation that brought.
They're a team that's at their best when they feel like they have to fight for everything.
Take Smith and Smith - Ben and Aaron - out of the equation and they don't have a lot of star players and that will almost force them to go back to what they do best.
Conversely, if things don't start well, they could go downhill in a hurry. Although they've lost a few high-profile players, the core of this side is essentially the same.If they get off to a difficult start, it will feel like they've never got out of that losing pattern from last year and that could have a terrible effect on confidence and fortitude.
One player they can't afford to lose form is Ben Smith. There were times last season when it felt like he was holding the side together. The Highlanders cannot afford a guy like this to get disillusioned by being on a consistently losing team. A couple of early wins is imperative. -
BLUES
There's a sense of anticipation at the Blues, much of it around the million-dollar question of how Benji Marshall is going to adapt. Don't ask me, because I honestly haven't got a clue yet. He will need to attack more direct and straight than the lateral movements of a half in league or the rest of that talented backline will suffer. However, he is talented, I love that he had taken on the challenge and I do believe he will be successfull.
Ma'a Nonu is also back and when you combine his skillset and experience with the likes of Charlie Piutau, you see a backline that has the ability to break down any defence.
Where I have my doubts is the tight five's ability to lay on consistent quality ball.
I know Ali Williams caught the eye often for the wrong reasons last year - particularly when it came to discipline and a body language that spoke of frustration. But he was also their most consistent and reliable ball winner and brought loads of big-game experience. A lot of the tight five onus will now shift to the brilliant Charlie Faumuina and his ball-carrying ability.
The Blues must come up with a gameplan that makes the most of their incredible individual talent, while still working for the team as a whole. -
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Its taken 9 years for me to see the legend play !! Thrilled as @BluesRugbyTeam @BenjiQMarshall !! #HIGvBLU http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BhDrZVSCMAEhIAI.jpg
by Kirk Davis via twitter 2/22/2014 6:18:10 AM -
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Really wish the Highlanders were wearing limeby Elliott Smith via twitter 2/22/2014 6:35:38 AM -
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