BLUES BOLSTERED BY EXPERIENCED AND EMERGING TALENT
The Blues welcome back several experienced players from injury, while giving some exciting young talent a chance to shine against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.
When the two sides met in the season-opener at Eden Park, the visitors kept the Blues scoreless in the second half, winning 25-14 after the home side led 14-6 at halftime.
There is an unprecedented look to the Super Rugby Pacific table with second placed NSW Waratahs the only unbeaten team, while the Blues, who have led in all four games at halftime, are one of four teams with one win, grouped in the bottom half of the table.
Changes to the Blues upfront include Samoan international Jordan Lay in his first start this season while lock Laghlan McWhannell returns from injury.
North Harbour’s Cameron Christie, the All Blacks Under-20, earns another start after an impressive debut, joined in the loose trio by returning All Black Dalton Papali’i and in-form Anton Segner.
The experienced Sam Nock gets his first start at halfback to spark a dangerous backline with All Blacks Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane and Mark Tele’a, along with the versatile Corey Evans at fullback, and the debut of last year’s age player of the year in midfielder Xavi Taele.
There is experience in the reserves with All Blacks Angus Ta’avao, Finlay Christie and the returning Stephen Perofeta; abrasive forwards Josh Beehre and Cameron Suafoa and the power running of AJ Lam, as the Blues look for thrust off the bench.
“We are continuing to show improvement after a slowish start to the season,” said coach Vern Cotter. “We have led at halftime in all four games, so with several key players back from injury, we are looking for some significant input from our bench.
“That said, we have some young players who have been working extremely hard in training and deserve their opportunity.
“We’re expecting a physical clash and would certainly like to get one back on the Chiefs after they beat us at home in the first game of the season.”
The Blues team is (Blues caps in brackets): 1. Jordan Lay (22), 2. Kurt Eklund (64), 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (153), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu© (116), 5. Laghlan McWhannell (13), 6. Cameron Christie (2), 7. Dalton Papali’i (86), 8. Anton Segner (27), 9. Sam Nock (75), 10. Harry Plummer (79), 11. Caleb Clarke (68), 12. Xavi Taele (Debut), 13. Rieko Ioane (116), 14. Mark Tele’a (71), 15. Corey Evans (17).
Reserves: 16. Nathaniel Pole (2), 17. Joshua Fusitu’a (25), 18. Angus Ta’avao (70), 19. Josh Beehre (15), 20. Cameron Suafoa (28), 21. Finlay Christie (58), 22. Stephen Perofeta (68), 23. AJ Lam (47)
Players not considered with injury: PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Ben Ake (shoulder), Hoskins Sotutu (suspended), James Mullan (head injury), Beauden Barrett (hand), Adrian Choat (knee), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ricky Riccitelli (chest), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).