DARRY TO LEAD IN JAPAN| CLARKE RETURNS TO WING
Promising lock Sam Darry will captain the Blues for the first time this weekend as the team prepare for their second pre-season match in Japan against the Yokohama Canon Eagles at Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday February 10 at 4:10pm (NZT).
Blues Head Coach, Vern Cotter, also confirmed Dalton Papali’i will stand in as Captain on a more permanent basis until regular Skipper, Patrick Tuipulotu, recovers from his injured jaw.
Caleb Clarke makes a return on the left wing while several players are elevated to starting spots, including a new look front row, as the team continue their preparation for the DHL Super Rugby Pacific season.
Prop Ben Ake has also joined the tour group this week and will sit on an extended bench on Saturday.
Cotter said the decisions around captaincy were pretty straightforward.
“It was a good conversation with the leadership group around Sam leading this weekend because Dalton is unavailable, and then Dalton taking over the captaincy and leadership of the team until Paddy returns,” said Cotter.
“We’ve said right from the start we need leaders throughout the team. Sam was a logical choice this weekend because he’s well organised, he’s professional and he speaks well in front of the group,” he said.
Meanwhile Darry said he was privileged to take the captaincy armband for Saturday’s match.
“The way I see it, it’s as much a leadership by committee type of thing. I’m still pretty young but I’ve got some awesome support around me with a few experienced boys and they’ve all got behind me and hopefully I can do the job justice on Saturday,” Darry said.
Cotter gave the side a pass mark for their opening pre-season match but expects a more physical challenge against the Eagles.
“We had a really good video session and looked at a few things we want to change and tighten up this weekend but we’re looking forward to the match against the Canon Eagles, a different opposition, a bit bigger and likely more physical.”
With the return of Clarke, front row and midfield changes as well as an extended bench named, Cotter said the team were mindful of balancing physical demands early in the season.
“Caleb’s back on the wing, he’s been training well for us and it will be good for him to get some game time,” said Cotter.
“It’s about balancing our workload, we’ve got a short turnaround before we hit the Chiefs in our final pre-season match next Friday at Onewa Domain in Auckland so it’s about balancing player loads as well as providing opportunities.”
Blues v Yokohama Canon Eagles
Jordan Lay
Ricky Riccitelli
Marcel Renata
Sam Darry (c)
Josh Beehre
Cameron Suafoa
Anton Segner
Hoskins Sotutu
Taufa Funaki
Stephen Perofeta
Caleb Clarke
Corey Evans
Meihana Grindlay
Caleb Tangitau
Zarn Sullivan
Extended bench:
Kurt Eklund, Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Ben Ake, James Thompson, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Lucas Cashmore, Cole Forbes, Leo Gordon, Kade Banks, Alex Harford
Match details:
Blues v Yokohama Canon Eagles
Saturday February 10
LIVE on Sky Sport 1, 4:10pm
Remaining Blues pre-season fixtures:
February 10, 2024 (Saturday)
Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Blues, Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, 4:10pm
February 16, 2024 (Friday)
Blues vs Chiefs, Takapuna Rugby Club, Onewa Domain, 4pm