It’s home away from home this weekend for the Blues as they play an ‘away’ match against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park in Round Six of DHL Super Rugby Pacific action, kicking off at 4:35pm on Saturday.

Blues Hooker, Ricky Riccitelli, is set to play his 100th Super Rugby match from the bench this weekend, while Finlay Christie is down to start at Halfback in his 50th Blues match.

Rieko Ioane returns to the midfield, partnering Bryce Heem who put in an 80 minute shift against the Crusaders at Second Five-Eight.

Meanwhile, Corey Evans, who was impressive in the Blues pre-season games in Japan, gets his chance to start at Fullback replacing the injured Zarn Sullivan.

Loose-Forward Akira Ioane and Halfback Sam Nock will look to make an impression from the bench this weekend with Head Coach Vern Cotter wary of Moana Pasifika’s threats across the park.

“This will be a stern test on Saturday afternoon,” said Cotter.

“We’ve seen how well Moana are playing this year, they are well coached and pose dangerous attacking threats across the park, we’ll need a big defensive effort to contain them,” he said.

“Last season this fixture came down to the final seconds - it was a cliff hanger. We expect Moana to bring plenty of passion to the occasion; even though we’re playing at Eden Park, this is a home game for them,” said Cotter.

The Blues currently hold fourth spot on the DHL Super Rugby Pacific ladder and Cotter knows the importance of continuing their winning ways.

“Backing up a performance like we put on against the Crusaders is key here. We’re asking the guys to stack good games together which will be important for us going forward,” he said.

Cotter also noted the milestone feats of Christie and Riccitelli this weekend.

“Fin has been a strong, solid presence at the Blues for several seasons and has really grown his game while at the club, I wish him well in his 50th game this Saturday.”

“Ricky is an exceptionally hard trainer and has brought a strong, competitive edge to our hooking stocks. It’s a massive effort to bring up 100 Super Rugby games and I know the boys want to put in a performance befitting of the occasion.”

Blues: 

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi

2. Soane Vikena

3. Marcel Renata

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c)

5. Laghlan McWhannell

6. Anton Segner

7. Adrian Choat

8. Hoskins Sotutu

9. Finlay Christie * 50th Blues game

10. Stephen Perofeta

11. Caleb Clarke

12. Bryce Heem

13. Rieko Ioane

14. Mark Tele’a

15. Corey Evans

    Reserves:

16. Ricky Riccitelli *100th Super Rugby game

17. Joshua Fusitu’a

18. Angus Ta’avao

19. Josh Beehre

20. Akira Ioane

21. Sam Nock

22. Harry Plummer

23. Cole Forbes

 Zarn Sullivan injury update:

Blues Fullback Zarn Sullivan has suffered a tear to his Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and will be out of rugby for roughly six to eight weeks.

The injury occurred in the first half of the Blues v Crusaders Round Five DHL Super Rugby Pacific match at Eden Park last Saturday (March 23).

Sullivan will now undergo a period of rehab with an aim of returning for the back end of the Round Robin matches in DHL Super Rugby Pacific.