BLUES TO BATTLE PERENNIAL ADVERSARIES AT EDEN PARK
Buoyed by an outstanding showing in an excruciating one-point loss to the Chiefs, the Blues return home to host perennial foes, the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday.
While the Blues lie in ninth place with one win, the team has shown improved form in recent weeks, highlighted by a quality showing in arguably the match of the competition thus far last weekend in Hamilton.
The Blues return to home turf knowing a win will elevate them into the top-six, and are keen to continue their improving performances.
“The Crusaders are our historic foes in this competition, and of course in provincial rugby for decades,” said Blues coach Vern Cotter.
“We know there is no respite in this competition, but after a sluggish start, we are improving across the squad as a team and as individuals every day and every week.
“We need to continue to dig deep, continue to improve in every facet of our game, every day in every training session and then bring that together at Eden Park. If we do that, trust in ourselves and in each other to play what is in front of us, then we can prosper.
“Last week was a game of the highest standard, and I am confident we can continue to improve and provide a major threat to the Crusaders and in this competition.”
The Blues made over 160 carries earning 328 post-contact running metres off the back of 100 percent conversion of scrums and lineouts.
The team welcomes back the 2024 leading player in No 8 Hoskins Sotutu from his red card stand-down to add to a potent pack from relentless leader Patrick Tuipulotu to newcomer lock-come-loosie Cam Christie, last year’s New Zealand Under-20.
Impressive debutant Xavi Taele, 20yr, earns a second start in the midfield outside All Black Stephen Perofeta, who moves to the starting lineup after coming off the bench in his return from injury.
The outside backs boast a trio of All Blacks in Rieko Ioane, a returning Caleb Clarke and Mark Tele’a, while Corey Evans earns another start at fullback after an enterprising display against the Chiefs.
The Blues team is (Blues caps in brackets): 1. Joshua Fusitu’a (26), 2. Kurt Eklund (65), 3. Angus Ta’avao (71), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu© (114), 5. Josh Beehre (16), 6. Cameron Christie (3), 7. Dalton Papali’i (87), 8. Hoskins Sotutu (68), 9. Sam Nock (76), 10. Stephen Perofeta (69), 11. Caleb Clarke (68), 12. Xavi Taele (1), 13. Rieko Ioane (117), 14. Mark Tele’a (72), 15. Corey Evans (18).
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (2), 17. Jordan Lay (23), 18: Marcel Renata (58), 19. Laghlan McWhannell (14), 20. Tristyn Cook (1), 21. Finlay Christie (59), 22. Harry Plummer (80), 23. Cole Forbes (21).
Players not considered with injury: PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Ben Ake (shoulder), Beauden Barrett (hand), Adrian Choat (knee), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ricky Riccitelli (chest), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck), Anton Segner (concussion), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), AJ Lam (leg).