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BLUES SET FOR SUNGOLIATH IN TOKYO

The Blues are ready to rip into pre-season in Japan, giving a host of new players a run in their opening fixture against Tokyo Sungoliath at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.

The match is the first of three pre-season fixtures for the Blues, two in Japan and a third pre-season match against the Chiefs at Takapuna Rugby Club in Auckland.

Blues Assistant Coach, Paul Tito said the team are ready to put the last couple of months of training into practice against a strong opposition.

“We’re under no illusions how tough it will be, we’re going over to test ourselves against a quality outfit and for us it’s a first chance to get into some game situations and start to develop as a team,” said Tito.  

“We’re in a privileged position to be heading to Japan - a lot of the boys haven’t been there before. As well as the rugby, we’ll get in extra meetings and like with any tour, it’ll bring us closer together, it’s all about the little connections.”  

Blues first-five Stephen Perofeta said there’s been a lift in intensity as the team edged toward this match.

“The Sungoliath will be battle hardened having already started their season, so it’s a good chance to see where we’re at – it will be a good test of our fitness and physicality,” said Perofeta. 

Even as a senior player in the Blues, Perofeta said he’s continuing to grow under the new coaching group at the club.

“As players we’ve been allowed to drive the team forward, as leaders we’re there to take control of the team and bring the best out of those around us while also expressing ourselves,” he said.

Alongside the starting XV, the Blues have named an extended bench for the opening pre-season match, kicking off at 4pm (NZT).

 

Blues v Tokyo Sungoliath 

  1. Joshua Fusitu’a

  2. Kurt Eklund

  3. Angus Ta’avao

  4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c)

  5. Sam Darry

  6. Adrian Choat

  7. Anton Segner

  8. Hoskins Sotutu

  9. Sam Nock

  10. Stephen Perofeta

  11. Kade Banks

  12. Leo Gordon

  13. Corey Evans

  14. Caleb Tangitau

  15. Cole Forbes

Extended bench: 

Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, PJ Sheck, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, James Thompson, Taufa Funaki, Lucas Cashmore, Alex Harford

 

Match details:

Blues v Tokyo Sungoliath 

Saturday February 3

LIVE on Sky Sport 1, 4pm

 

Full Blues pre-season: 

February 3, 2024 (Saturday) - Tokyo Sungoliath vs Blues, Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, 4pm 

February 10, 2024 (Saturday) - Yokohama Eagles vs Blues, Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium, 4:10pm

February 16, 2024 (Friday) - Blues vs Chiefs, Takapuna Rugby Club, Onewa Domain, 4pm