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Blues name full strength side to take on Reds in final home game

11 May 2022

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

There is a relatively settled look to the Blues team for their final regular season clash at Eden Park in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition.

They host the Queensland Reds on Saturday at 7.05pm, with the Australian visitors fully committed as they are in a fight with the Chiefs, Waratahs and Hurricanes for the fourth place for the final home-game spot for the first round of playoffs.

Equally a win for the Blues will ensure them a top four spot with two further games to come across the Tasman against the Brumbies and Waratahs.

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Loosehead prop Alex Hodgman returns from a one-game injury, set to continue his outstanding season, joining a powerful front row with hooker Kurt Eklund and All Black Ofa Tuungafasi.

The standout tighthead, with 116 games for the Blues, has moved ahead of James Parsons into fourth place on the all-time Blues list behind Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock and Jerome Kaino.

The potent All Black trio of Akira Ioane, captain Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu are retained as the loose forwards to support a potent backline that welcomes back Beauden Barrett at first five, while in-form Stephen Perofeta moves to fullback.

While the 11-try win last week gives confidence, coach Leon MacDonald said the team needs to continue to improve.

“Last week showed if we get our preparation right and each and every player executes individually and as a team, then good things can happen.

“Nothing is automatic, so the focus has gone on the team to reset, do their homework, do the business in every training session, every day, and then focus on doing their job come game-time.

“We know this is a talented Reds team with some exciting young players. They have a very good record against us. We have won 12 and them 11 with a couple of draws, so we know they will turn up especially with so much on the line.

“This is our final regular-season game at Eden Park and the team is determined to make it a Blues performance of quality for our fans.”

The Blues team to play the Reds at Eden Park is:

1. Alex Hodgman (50 Blues caps)
2. Kurt Eklund (33)
3. Ofa Tuungafasi (115)
4. James Tucker (8)
5. Tom Robinson (41)
6. Akira Ioane (90)
7. Dalton Papalii© (53)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (32)
9. Finlay Christie (26)
10. Beauden Barrett (13)
11. Caleb Clarke (34)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (7)
13. Rieko Ioane (82)
14. Mark Telea (34)
15. Stephen Perofeta (40)

Reserves

16. Soane Vikena (11)
17. Jordan Lay (6)
18. Nepo Laulala (20)
19. Luke Romano (9)
20. Adrian Choat (15)
21. Sam Nock (47)
22. Bryce Heem (16)
23. Zarn Sullivan (14)

Players not considered: Harry Plummer, Josh Goodhue.

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Comments

1 Comment

KEL 1097 days ago

Blues my team for 25 years - the strike power they have at the moment from 5 to 15 it's as good as it's ever been- the Blues are back . take them plus the two Jordies and a couple of saders forwards- and look out Ireland

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 2 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 2 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 2 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 days ago

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

👍