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‘Key’ trio return as Blues look to wrap up top spot against Chiefs

Caleb Clarke of the Blues looks on ahead of the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match between Blues and ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, on April 20, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Blues coach Vern Cotter has welcomed some “key” players back into the matchday squad as the ladder leaders prepare for a decisive Battle of the Bombays against the Chiefs on Saturday.

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While the Hurricanes are equal on competition points with the Blues on the Super Rugby Pacific standings, the Auckland-based side has a clear advantage with a substantially better points differential.

The first tie-breaker when teams are equal on points on the ladder is the total number of wins, but those two Kiwi teams have 11 victories to their name so far. If they’re both still tied after round 15, then points difference is the deciding factor.

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It’s no secret that securing top spot could prove crucial by the time the playoffs get underway, so this weekend’s clash with New Zealand rivals the Chiefs at Eden Park “has the potential for real fireworks.”

Rugby World Cup finalist Finlay Christie is in line to return from a niggly groin injury after being named on the bench. Christie hasn’t played since starting in a win over Moana Pasifika in round six back in March.

All Blacks Dalton Papali’i and Caleb Clarke are also set to start for the Blues after missing the round 14 defeat to a resurgent Crusaders outfit at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium.

“We’re happy to welcome a couple of key boys back this week in Caleb, Dalton and Fin,” coach Vern Cotter said in a statement.

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“They’ve ben bouncing around the facility all week and can’t wait to rip in on Saturday.”

Prop Marcel Renata will play his 50th match for the Blues after being named to start at tighthead prop. Renata joins in-form Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Ricky Riccitelli in a strong front row.

Patrick Tuipulotu will pack down alongside Sam Darry in the middle row, while the star-studded backrow trio of Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu round out a lethal Blues forward pack.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins
4
Draws
0
Wins
1
Average Points scored
27
14
First try wins
80%
Home team wins
80%

Taufa Funaki will partner playmaker Harry Plummer in the halves once again, with AJ Lam and Rieko Ioane just outside them in the midfield.

All Black Caleb Clarke will line up on the left wing, and Mark Tele’a will start on the right. Stephen Perofeta will provide another playmaking option for the Blues after being named at fullback for another match.

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“Our performance wasn’t good enough last week, we know that, we’ve talked about it and we aim to improve it against the Chiefs,” Cotter explained.

“This game is crucial in determining the playoff standings – I would be encouraging anyone in the Blues region to head along on Saturday night, this game has the potential for real fireworks.”

 This match at Auckland’s Eden Park is set to get underway at 7.05 pm NZT on Saturday evening. With the Hurricanes playing earlier that day, the Blues will know what they need to do to secure top spot.

Blues team to take on Chiefs

  1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
  2. Ricky Riccitelli
  3. Marcel Renata (50th Blues cap)
  4. Patrick Tuipulotu
  5. Sam Darry
  6. Akira Ioane
  7. Dalton Papali’i
  8. Hoskins Sotutu
  9. Taufa Funaki
  10. Harry Plummer
  11. Caleb Clarke
  12. AJ Lam
  13. Rieko Ioane
  14. Mark Tele’a
  15. Stephen Perofeta

Replacements

  1. Kurt Eklund
  2. Joshua Fusitu’a
  3. Angus Ta’avao
  4. Cameron Suafoa
  5. Adrian Choat
  6. Finlay Christie
  7. Corey Evans
  8. Cole Forbes

Players not considered: Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Jordan Lay, Laghlan McWhannell, Zarn Sullivan

Watch the exclusive reveal-all episode of Walk the Talk with Ardie Savea as he chats to Jim Hamilton about the RWC 2023 experience, life in Japan, playing for the All Blacks and what the future holds. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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