BLUES NAMED FOR MOANA PASIFIKA CLASH
The Blues have named their side for Round 5’s Super Rugby Pacific clash against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.
With a handful of players under managed workloads after minor injuries in Round 4, there are several changes to the team which secured an impressive win over the Crusaders.
Sam Nock earns a start at halfback with Xavi Taele at second five, while Cole Forbes returns from injury to slot in at fullback and Anton Segner comes in at blindside flanker.
Talented young loose forward Malachi Wrampling has been named for a potential Blues debut off the bench.
Head coach Vern Cotter said the game was an opportunity to build on momentum and for additional players to step up.
“We were really pleased with the effort against the Crusaders, but the challenge for us now is to back that up. There’s good energy in the group this week and some extra players have an opportunity to take their chance,” he said.
“A few players are carrying niggles so we are being intentional around managing those well while still early in the season. It shows the depth we have in our wider squad, and we’re confident the players coming in can do the job.”
Sunday’s game kicks off at the family friendly time of 3.35pm, with free entry for kids through blues.flicket.co.nz
Blues Team - Round 5 vs Moana Pasifika
3.35pm (NZT), Sunday 15 March at Eden Park
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (157)
2. Kurt Eklund (78)
3. Marcel Renata (70)
4. Josh Beehre (31)
5. Sam Darry (37)
6. Anton Segner (42)
7. Dalton Papali’i (c) (101)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (83)
9. Sam Nock (84)
10. Beauden Barrett (45)
11. Caleb Clarke (79)
12. Xavi Taele (9)
13. AJ Lam (62)
14. Codemeru Vai (4)
15. Cole Forbes (33)
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (7), 17. Mason Tupaea (12), 18. Sam Matenga (2), 19. Laghlan McWhannell (26), 20. Malachi Wrampling (debut), 21. Taufa Funaki (35), 22. Pita Ahki (17), 23. Zarn Sullivan (46)
Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (elbow), Jordan Lay (concussion), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Bradley Slater (abdomen), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Flyn Yates (neck)