Winless Blues name eager team for Hurricanes derby

The reigning champion Blues travel to the Kiwi capital for round three of the new Super Rugby Pacific season hungry for their first win of the young campaign.

Consecutive losses in consecutive derbies have taken many fans by surprise, and the Blues have their work cut out for them with their next opponents, the Hurricanes.

The team will be without both Taufa Funaki and Adrian Choat for the game after both players made early exits from round two’s dramatic loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin.

An additional injury to lock Laghlan McWhannell has paved the way for a potential debut off the bench, with Cam Christie named in the No. 19 jersey. 10 All Blacks remain in the starting lineup for the game.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

26

28

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

80%

“Last week we had a great start,” said Blues head coach VernCotter. “But we need to put in an 80-minute performance.

“We have had two good starts against the Chiefs and the Highlanders but we need to put good things on good things for an entire 80-minutes.

“There was an improved attitude and performance, and we need to continue to work hard every day and continue to show those improvements on the field for 80 minutes.”

Cotter says his side know to expect a physical contest from the Wellington side.

“They were typically aggressive when we played them in pre-season and I am looking for further improvement in our set phase and collisions to match them.”

Blues team to face Hurricanes

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2. Ricky Riccitelli
3. Marcel Renata
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Josh Beere
6. Cameron Suafoa
7. Dalton Papali’i
8. Hoskins Sotutu
9. Finlay Christie
10. Harry Plummer
11. Caleb Clarke
12. AJ Lam
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Mark Tele’a
15. Beauden Barrett

Reserves

16. James Mullan
17. Joshua Fusitu’a
18. Angus Ta’avao
19. Cam Christie*
20. Anton Segner
21. Sam Nock
22. Corey Evans
23. Cole Forbes

* denotes potential debut

Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), Laghlan McWhannell (cheek); PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Adrian Choat (knee)