BLUES SET SIGHTS ON WARATAHS WEEK

The Blues have named their side to take on the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night, with several changes following the win over Moana Pasifika.

Captain Dalton Papali’i will continue to set the tone, leading the competition with 87 tackles after five rounds and equalling his career high tackle count with 25 in last Sunday’s game.

Bradley Slater returns from an abdominal strain at hooker, while Sam Matenga shifts into the starting front row at tighthead prop.

In the loose forwards, Malachi Wrampling earns his first start for the club at No.8 after making an impressive debut off the bench last week.

Finlay Christie returns to start at halfback in place of Sam Nock who has been ruled out through concussion after a head high tackle during the Moana Pasifika game.

Pita Ahki returns in the second five jersey, with Zarn Sullivan slotting back in at fullback and Payton Spencer named to make a potential Blues debut from the bench.

Head coach Vern Cotter said his side, which sits in joint top spot on the ladder with 15 points, was looking forward to the challenge against another physical side.

“The Waratahs are always a dangerous side particularly at home in Sydney, so we’ll need to be accurate and disciplined for 80 minutes,” he said.

“Our focus has been on continuing to adapt and improve our game. We’ve built a strong foundation so it’s about ensuring we keep growing.”

Saturday night’s game against the Waratahs kicks off at 9:35pm (NZT) from Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

Blues Team - Round 6 vs NSW Waratahs
9.35pm (NZT), Saturday 21 March in Sydney

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (158)
2. Bradley Slater (2)
3. Sam Matenga (3)
4. Josh Beehre (32)
5. Sam Darry (38)
6. Anton Segner (43)
7. Dalton Papali’i (c) (102)
8. Malachi Wrampling (1)
9. Finlay Christie (73)
10. Beauden Barrett (46)
11. Caleb Clarke (80)
12. Pita Ahki (18)
13. AJ Lam (63)
14. Codemeru Vai (5)
15. Zarn Sullivan (47)

Reserves: 16. James Mullan (8), 17. Mason Tupaea (13), 18. Marcel Renata (71), 19. Che Clark (5), 20. Torian Barnes (4), 21. Taufa Funaki (36), 22. Xavi Taele (10), 23. Payton Spencer (debut)

Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (elbow), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Sam Nock (concussion), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Flyn Yates (neck)