BARRETT RETURNS FOR CRUSADERS CLASH
Playmaker Beauden Barrett will return to action in Saturday night’s Round 4 clash against the Crusaders at Eden Park.
Barrett plays his first game of the 2026 Super Rugby season off the bench, while there are three changes to the starting XV after the team’s narrow loss to the Brumbies in Canberra.
In the forwards, Josh Beehre gets the start at lock with Laghlan McWhannell sidelined due to concussion while Torian Barnes leads out at blindside flanker.
After some impressive minutes over the last few weeks, Codemeru Vai starts on the right wing while Cole Forbes misses the game with an ankle injury.
Head coach Vern Cotter said his side had taken valuable lessons from their two-week road trip in Australia.
“We were disappointed not to get the result last week, but there were plenty of positives in our performance,” he said.
“We’ve had a good review and trained with real purpose this week. We are clear on the areas we need to be better in.
“The Crusaders are always a quality side and these contests carry a bit of extra edge. It’s special to be back at home in front of our supporters. We know the lift that Eden Park gives us and the boys are looking forward to putting in a big performance.”
Blues Team - Round 4 vs Crusaders
7.05pm (NZT), Saturday 7 March at Eden Park
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (156)
2. Kurt Eklund (75)
3. Marcel Renata (69)
4. Josh Beehre (30)
5. Sam Darry (36)
6. Torian Barnes (3)
7. Dalton Papali’i (c) (100)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (82)
9. Finlay Christie (72)
10. Stephen Perofeta (75)
11. Caleb Clarke (78)
12. Pita Ahki (16)
13. AJ Lam (61)
14. Codemeru Vai (3)
15. Zarn Sullivan (45)
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (6), 17. Mason Tupaea (11), 18. Sam Matenga (1), 19. Che Clark (3), 20. Anton Segner (40), 21. Taufa Funaki (34), 22. Beauden Barrett (44), 23. Xavi Taele (8)
Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Cole Forbes (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (elbow), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Bradley Slater (abdomen), Payton Spencer (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Flyn Yates (neck)