CASHMORE LEGACY CONTINUES AT BLUES

The Blues are gearing up for Friday night under the lights against the Western Force at Eden Park in Round Seven of DHL Super Rugby Pacific action.

Dalton Papali'i will lead the side this week in the absence of Patrick Tuipulotu, forming a formidable loose trio with Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu.

A new nine-ten combination sees Taufa Funaki start at halfback, with Harry Plummer at pivot, while Lucas Cashmore, nephew of former Blues fullback, Adrian Cashmore is a potential debutant off the bench.

Corey Evans joins Rieko Ioane in the midfield on Friday night while AJ Lam assumes the right wing. Cole Forbes gets his first start in the Blues jersey after some impressive performances off the bench.

Blues Head Coach, Vern Cotter said while there’s been some forced changes this week, the team is in a settled frame of mind.

“With a short turnaround we’re lucky to have Dalton step in and lead the side, it’s a seamless transition given he captained at the start of the season and is a familiar voice in the leadership group.”

“We’ve been giving plenty of the group game time this season and this week is no different, we know the Force are coming here to disrupt us so we’ve got to be fully focussed on the job at hand on Friday night.”

 

Blues:

  1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi

  2. Ricky Riccitelli

  3. Angus Ta’avao

  4. Josh Beehre

  5. Laghlan McWhannell

  6. Akira Ioane

  7. Dalton Papali’i

  8. Hoskins Sotutu

  9. Taufa Funaki

  10. Harry Plummer

  11. Caleb Clarke

  12. Corey Evans

  13. Rieko Ioane

  14. AJ Lam

  15. Cole Forbes

    Reserves:

  16. Soane Vikena

  17. Joshua Fusitu’a

  18. Marcel Renata

  19. Anton Segner

  20. Adrian Choat

  21. Sam Nock

  22. Lucas Cashmore*

  23. Caleb Tangitau

*Potential debut

Players not considered: Sam Darry (knee), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Mark Tele’a (ribs), Finlay Christie (groin), Patrick Tuipulotu (concussion protocol), Bryce Heem (concussion protocol), Zarn Sullivan (knee), Rob Rush (calf), Cam Suafoa (sickness), Kade Banks (concussion protocol)

 

Friday 3 April

Blues v Western Force

Kick-off 7.05pm

EDEN PARK, Auckland

LIVE on Sky Sport and Gold Sport & iHeart Radio

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