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Backline reshuffle for Blues after Tele'a suspension

25 days ago

AJ Lam of the Blues during a Blues Super Rugby training session at Blues HQ on February 18, 2025 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Blues have reshuffled their backline ahead of their must-win game against the Force on Friday night as the season goes on the line.

The good news is the Blues hold an outstanding record over the men from Perth, winning the last nine straight and remaining undefeated over the last 12.

With Mark Tele’a sidelined with suspension, last week’s second five-eighth AJ Lam has moved to the left wing while Cole Forbes will start on the right.

Sam Cane after his 100th Test for the All Blacks and TJ Perenara after his last home game | All Blacks post-match

Sam Cane after his 100th Test for the All Blacks and TJ Perenara after his last home game talk to the media after the All Blacks 33-13 win over the Wallabies in Wellington.

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Replacing Lam in the midfield is recently re-signed young gun Xavi Taele, who inked a one-year extension for 2026. Taele will start at No.12 inside All Black centre Rieko Ioane.

At fullback will be Stephen Perofeta forming a playmaking partnership with Beauden Barrett at No.10.

Up front Angus Ta’avao gets a spell with Marcel Renata coming into start at tighthead, while the locks and back row remain unchanged.

“The Force are another very good team and we need to lift our intensity to ensure we compete well against them on Friday night,” Vern Cotter said.

“Being consistent across these next four games is really important for us and I know every one of us is working hard to step up.”

The Blues sit in ninth place on the ladder, five competition points below the Force who sit in the last playoff standing in sixth.

A win will go a long way to climbing up the three spots the Blues need to defend their title.

Blues team vs the Western Force, 7.05pm, Friday 2 May:

1. Joshua Fusitu’a (31 Blues caps)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (45)
3. Marcel Renata (60)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) (118)
5. Laghlan McWhannell (17)
6. Anton Segner (32)
7. Dalton Papali’i (91)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (73)
9. Taufa Funaki (30)
10. Beauden Barrett (38)
11. AJ Lam (52)
12. Xavi Taele (2)
13. Rieko Ioane (122)
14. Cole Forbes (24)
15. Stephen Perofeta (72)

Reserve
16. Kurt Eklund (69)
17. Mason Tupaea (5)
18. Angus Ta’avao (76)
19. Josh Beehre (21)
20. Cam Christie (6)
21. Adrian Choat (49)
22. Sam Nock (78)
23. Corey Evans (22)

Players not considered due to injury: Caleb Clarke (thigh), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).

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Comments

3 Comments

Cantab 24 days ago

As the Blues make minimal use of their backs anyway a reshuffle should not affect them unduly.

JW 24 days ago

They still have to defend as good as everybody else!

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 12 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 12 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 12 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 12 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 12 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 12 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍