I didnt like the look of that Cruden kid last week lol. He had that look about him that he seemed to think hes top shit. Got smashed too

Highlanders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 James Paterson, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Jimmy Cowan (c), 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Alando Soakai, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Chris King, 18 Hayden Triggs, 19 John Hardie, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Fetu'u Vainikolo.

Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Rudi Wulf, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Rene Ranger.

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Nasi Manu who was injured last round is replaced by Steven Setephano, pretty decent replacement. Also Michael Hobbs comes into the starting line up as replacement for the injured Matt Berquist (screws up my manager team, Dammitt!!) Robbie Robinson comes on to the bench.

Paul Williams is back starting for the Blues, shifting Wulf to the wing and Ranger to the bench. I'd rather start Ranger over Wulf.

Should be a pretty close game, Highlanders with home advantage are my pick for the win.

HURRICANES

1. John Schwalger 2. Andrew Hore (captain) 3. Neemia Tialata 4. Bryn Evans 5. James Broadhurst 6. Michael Paterson 7. Scott Waldrom 8. Victor Vito 9. Piri Weepu 10. Willie Ripia 11. David Smith 12. Ma’a Nonu 13 Conrad Smith 14. Tamati Ellison 15. Cory Jane Reserves: 16. Dane Coles 17. Jacob Ellison 18. Rodney So’oialo 19. Karl Lowe 20. Tyson Keats 21. Aaron Cruden 22. Andre Taylor

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So Ripia named to start at fly half despite having an injury concern earlier in the week. As expected D. Smith comes into replace Gear with Taylor coming on to the bench. Few suprises, no Eaton and no Crosswell. Eaton is replaced by Evans and So'oialo gets the bench spot. Crosswell is replaced by Michael Paterson and James Broadhurst comes in to the starting 15. Cooper pisses me off, I thought Eaton was pretty decent last round.

WESTERN FORCE

1. Matt Dunning 2. Pek Cowan 3. Tim Fairbrother 4. Tom Hockings 5. Nathan Sharpe (c) 6. Ben McCalman 7. Matt Hodgson 8. Sam Wykes 9. Brett Sheehan 10. Sam Harris 11. Haig Sare 12. Josh Tatupu 13. Mitch Inman 14. Dane Haylett-Petty 15. James O’Connor Reserves 16. Ryan Tyrrell 17. Nic Henderson 18. Richard Stanford 19. Luke Jones 20. Chris O’Young 21. Stefano Hunt 22. Joelin Rapana

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Pocock and Brown both out injured. Put the money on Hurricanes 13+ , just hope the weather comes right.

ah yes. Shame they didn't say what he's done

http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/cooper-coy-eaton-misdemeanour-3371052

Maybe Eaton told him he was a dumbass and a shit coach.

haha its his last season yay! I think I should coach the side.

Anyone would be an improvement.

This is the Hurricanes team I would like to see...
1. Schwalger 2. Hore 3. Tialata 4. Evans 5. Broadhurst 6. Lowe 7. Waldrom 8. So'oialo 9. Weepu 10. Cruden 11. Taylor 12. Nonu 13. C. Smith 14. Jane 15. T. Ellison Bench 16. Coles 17. Perenise 18. Paterson 19. Vito 20. Keats 21. Ripia 22. D. Smith

Thats a pretty solid team.

Cruden should be at 10 if Ripia is injured but Cooper says no.

Ripia is all good to go apparently.

Yea I just think Mils has that All Black FB position locked down till after the WC, Jane has been great on the wing for the ABs so why not play him there for the Canes? especially because he's got Nonu and Conrad inside him which he will likely have for the ABs too. Ellison can play anywhere, and if there was no Toeava I'd give him a bench spot for the ABs.

Here would be the ABs wings, centers and fullbacks I'd have in my squad.

Centers: Nonu, Conrad, Kahui, Toeava and Ellison
Wings: Guildford, Jane, Sivivatu and Gear
Fullbacks: Muliaina and Dagg

I'd rather not have McAlister, he's yet to prove himself. Fruean is good but isn't up to the standard of those 5 I've named, although he may get there later on.