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Mixed news for key All Blacks as Blues name team for ‘knockout footy’

06 Jun 2023

(Photo by DAVID ROWLAND/AFP via Getty Images)

The Blues have been dealt a major blow ahead of their blockbuster quarter-final with the Waratahs at Eden Park on Friday night.

All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke will miss the match due to a leg injury, and veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu has also been ruled out for the rest of the season with an arm injury.

But it isn’t all bad news.

Beauden Barrett is back.

The playmaker sustained a cut to his heel against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane last month, but has been named in the No. 10 jersey to face the Tahs.

All Black Hoskins Sotutu is also back at No. 8 after a week off, and fan-favourite Tom Robinson shifts from the backrow to lock.

“We were in early this week to get clarity for what we want to achieve against the Waratahs,” coach Leon MacDonald said in a statement.

“What’s happened in the regular season means nothing on Friday night.

“Knockout footy brings a special kind of intensity, it’s where we learn about players under pressure and we’re looking forward to putting on a performance for our home fans, our friends and families.

“You never want to face a team after a loss, they will be hurting and out to spoil our party at Eden Park.

“We’ve seen when they put it together, they’re a very dangerous outfit so we need to show up on Friday night prepared for a battle.”

Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli and Nepo Laulala will start in the front row, while Robinson and James Tucker round out the tight five.

Akira Ioane joins fellow New Zealand internationals Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu in a formidable loose forward trio.

“It’s a simple equation for us – win and we advance,” Papali’i said. “That’s all we want from this match and all we expect of ourselves.

“Finals footy brings out a different beats, you play for these big matches and big moments and the team are ready to stand up.”

Finlay Christie will line up alongside Barrett in the halves, while Bryce Heem and Rieko Ioane will combine in the midfield.

AJ Lam and Mark Telea will take their place on the wings, while in-form outside back Zarn Sullivan will run out in the No. 15 jumper.

The match between the Blues and Waratahs at Auckland’s Eden Park is set to get underway at 7.35pm NZST on Friday night.

Blues team to take on Waratahs

Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Ricky Riccitelli
Nepo Laulala
Tom Robinson
James Tucker
Akira Ioane
Dalton Papali’i (c)
Hoskins Sotutu
Finlay Christie
Beauden Barrett
AJ Lam
Bryce Heem
Rieko Ioane
Mark Telea
Zarn Sullivan

Replacements:

Kurt Eklund
Jordan Lay
Marcel Renata
Cameron Suafoa
Anton Segner
Sam Nock
Harry Plummer
Stephen Perofeta

Players not considered: Adrian Choat, Caleb Clarke, Sam Darry, Alex Hodgman, Tanielu Telea, Patrick Tuipulotu

Comments

1 Comment

Pedro 709 days ago

Still Blues by 14 +. If Barrett doesn't kick away good ball. Robo adds speed to an already mobile pack ..

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 4 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 4 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 4 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 days ago

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

👍