BLUES BOLSTERED FOR TOP FOUR BATTLE WITH CANES
A mouth-watering Super Rugby Pacific derby is the headline act this Saturday night with the Blues hosting the Hurricanes at Eden Park in Auckland at 7:05pm.
The battle for fourth spot or higher on the Super Rugby Pacific table is well and truly on, with the Blues (4th) and Hurricanes (5th) both vying for an all-important home quarterfinal berth.
The stats back up just how close this contest promises to be with 39 previous meetings in Super Rugby competition resulting in 19 wins a-piece and one draw between the two sides. The Blues have the edge at home in recent times, having logged a victory against the Hurricanes in the previous two encounters at Eden Park.
This weekend the Blues front row is bolstered by the return of Ofa Tuungafasi and Nepo Laulala in an otherwise unchanged pack. Meanwhile, Finlay Christie, Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane slot back into the starting lineup with Bryce Heem and Harry Plummer shifting in a spot to accommodate Beauden Barrett’s All Blacks rest week.
Blues Head Coach Leon MacDonald said the team look forward to these New Zealand derby matches and the intensity they bring.
“These weeks are what rugby is all about – as a team you’re preparing for a tough, uncompromising battle in the knowledge it’s likely to be small margins and moments determining the outcome on Saturday,” said MacDonald.
“Our focus is on stacking good performances together. I thought we created space and time really well against the Reds and want more of the same taking on the Hurricanes. Our destiny’s in our hands and we need to push hard in this final phase of the round robin.”
Blues Captain Patrick Tuipulotu said the team are lying in wait for the Hurricanes and take pride in defending their home turf.
“Eden Park’s our home, our fortress and it’s up to us to defend it with honour,” said Tuipulotu.
“Look at the table, one point separates us and we’re both gunning for a home quarterfinal spot. We love it when the fans turn up in numbers and we’re hoping for a bumper crowd on Saturday night.”
MacDonald echoed the thoughts of Tuipulotu, calling on Blues fans to fill the stands.
“The boys really feed off the energy and excitement of a big crowd. You can sense it in the sheds before we run out - it might just be that extra one percent we need this weekend.”
Ofa Tuungafasi
Ricky Riccitelli
Nepo Laulala
Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
Cameron Suafoa
Akira Ioane
Adrian Choat
Hoskins Sotutu
Finlay Christie
Harry Plummer
Caleb Clarke
Bryce Heem
Rieko Ioane
Mark Telea
Zarn Sullivan
Reserves:
Kurt Eklund
Jordan Lay
Marcel Renata
James Tucker
Anton Segner
Sam Nock
Stephen Perofeta
AJ Lam/Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Players not considered: Beauden Barrett (ABs rest), Sam Darry (arm), Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Dalton Papalii (suspension), Tanielu Telea (knee)
Blues v Hurricanes
Saturday 27 May 2023
7:05pm (NZT) – Eden Park, Auckland
Coverage: SKY SPORT & Gold Sport + iHeart Radio
The Blues return home to Eden Park for the FINAL TWO home games of the regular season. Blues memberships and ticket information for home games can be found online at blues.flicket.co.nz
Match Day activations
Musical extravaganza
Fans can look forward to a live music performance from Ella Monnery – of Synthony in the Park fame - supported by the band ‘Flipside’.
Plus, George FM breakfast hosts Lee and Tammy have been working on their own special Blues themed song and will play it live to Eden Park ahead of kick-off. Karaoke screens will be set-up for the crowd to sing along!
nib Little Legends 10K relay
Our Principal Partner, nib New Zealand, is giving 10 local junior rugby clubs and intermediate schools a chance to win $10,000 as part of their ongoing commitment to encouraging more Kiwi kids to get active!
Ten teams from across Auckland, North Harbour and Northland will take part in the ‘nib Little Legends $10K Relay’ on Eden Park at halftime.
The winning team will secure a $10,000 prize to support initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of their junior players and local community.