The Blues have their sights set on returning to the DHL Super Rugby Pacific winner’s circle this weekend as they travel to Sydney to take on the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night at 9:35pm (NZT).

A focused and determined Blues side travel across the ditch with Captain Dalton Papali’i well aware of the threat the Australian teams have brought this year.

“This Super season has already thrown up a mixed bag of results; you get the feeling that anyone can get tipped up on any given day,” said Papali’i. 

“These away games are important for us early in the season, we have a run of home games through the middle of the competition, and we don’t want to look back at these early season games and have any regrets,” he said.

Blues Head Coach, Vern Cotter, was equally wary of their trans-Tasman opponents.

 “Already this season we’ve seen how dangerous the Waratahs can be, they’ll be up for it, especially in front of their home fans on a Saturday night,” said Cotter.

Number Eight Hoskins Sotutu and Wing Caleb Clarke both return to the starting side this week with Bryce Heem slotting in for his second start of the season at Second Five-Eight. 

Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi also makes a return to the starting side, partnering Kurt Eklund and Marcel Renata in the front row.

 “Ofa is a leader in this group, and I expect him to lead with his physicality on Saturday. I’ve been impressed by Kurt and Marcel so far this season, and those boys know any dominant display starts up front with their work in the dark spaces,” said Cotter.

This Saturday’s match in Sydney is the last in a string of away games for the Blues before the team return to Eden Park to take on the Crusaders in Round Five of DHL Super Rugby Pacific next weekend.

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi

2. Kurt Eklund

3. Marcel Renata

4. Josh Beehre

5. Laghlan McWhannell

6. Akira Ioane

7. Dalton Papali’i (c)

8. Hoskins Sotutu

9. Finlay Christie

10. Stephen Perofeta

11. Caleb Clarke

12. Bryce Heem

13. Rieko Ioane

14. Mark Tele’a

15. Zarn Sullivan

    Reserves:

16. Soane Vikena

17. Joshua Fusitu’a

18. Angus Ta’avao

19. Cameron Suafoa

20. Anton Segner

21. Sam Nock

22. Harry Plummer

23. Cole Forbes

Players not considered: Patrick Tuipulotu (jaw), Sam Darry (knee), AJ Lam (concussion)

Waratahs v Blues

Saturday 16 March

9:35pm NZT

Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Live on Sky Sport & Gold Sport + iHeart Radio