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Blues add firepower to their front row for Crusaders derby

Ofa Tu'ungafasi. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

The Blues will return home to Eden Park to host defending champions Crusaders in the traditional barn-burning Super Rugby clash on Friday night.

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The two teams have a traditional rivalry like no other, including the 24-22 thriller decided after fulltime at Eden Park last year.

“When the Super Rugby schedule comes out you always look first for the Crusaders game. They are the benchmark. It is the game where the hairs on the back of your neck bristle and this one will be no different,” said Blues head coach Leon MacDonald.

“I know the boys are excited about this one. We know they will bring their best game to Eden Park – they always do – and especially so after a loss. And we will bring the best we have. I am sure it will be an amazing game.”

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The Blues will have all their key All Blacks back on starting duties led by captain Patrick Tuipulotu and Ofa Tu’ungafasi who, along with James Parsons, will make their first starts this season, completing a formidable front row with the in-form Karl Tu’inukuafe.

The back row remains intact from the win over the Waratahs with All Black flanker Dalton Papalii joining Blake Gibson and Hoskins Sotutu, who both produced eye-catching displays in Newcastle.

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The backline remains unchanged with the likes of Stephen Perofeta nearing his blazer game and dual international Matt Duffie closing in on his 50th for the Blues.

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Players not considered because of injury include Finlay Christie (neck), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti (shoulder), Jared Page (hamstring), Tanielu Tele’a (shoulder), James Tucker (knee), Alex Hodgman (calf), Ray Niuia (knee) and Rieko Ioane (hand).

Blues: Matt Duffie, Jordan Hyland, Joe Marchant, TJ Faiane, Mark Tele’a, Stephen Perofeta, Jonathan Ruru, Hoskins Sotutu, Blake Gibson, Dalton Papalii, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Parsons, Karl Tu’inukuafe. Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Tom Robinson, Tony Lamborn, Sam Nock, Harry Plummer, Emoni Narawa.

Sevu Reece has extended his contract with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders:

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AM 11 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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