PAPALII REVEALS CLOSE-TO-HOME CONNECTION FOR MOANA CLASH
The Blues machine is starting to roll with three wins on the trot and the team aiming to solidify their spot in the top four when they face Moana Pasifika at Eden Park on Saturday May 6 at 7:05pm.
Several players return to the starting lineup this weekend with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck partnering Bryce Heem in the midfield and Kurt Eklund getting the nod at hooker. Meanwhile, Taufa Funaki and AJ Lam get their first starts of the season at halfback and wing respectively.
After a successful return from injury off the bench in the last two matches, Akira Ioane will start at blindside flanker and a positional shift sees Beauden Barrett run at fullback with Harry Plummer slotting in at first-five.
Blues Captain Dalton Papalii said this weekend’s match against cross-town rivals Moana Pasifika has a couple of close connections that’s added some spice to home life.
“I live with Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Sam Slade from the Moana team so it’s fair to say bragging rights and washing up duties at our house are on the line this weekend!”
“We’re good mates and have played together at provincial level so I’m looking forward to locking horns against them in the Super Rugby arena.”
After three wins in a row, Blues Head Coach Leon Macdonald wants the team to capitalise on the momentum they’ve managed to build in recent weeks.
“It’s been about switching on and getting our mindset right for this weekend,” said MacDonald.
“One of the hardest challenges in sport is consistency and I’ve been encouraging the boys to find what works for them to ensure they have a ruthless mindset to take on Moana Pasifika this weekend.”
“It’s starting to be a pretty congested middle of the points table as the playoff race heats up. We need to continue accumulating points as we’ve done in recent weeks to keep pushing for home advantage in the quarterfinals.”
Skipper Papalii is also encouraging his team to take it to their cross-town rivals on Saturday night.
“We can’t sit on our hands this week and think it’s just going to happen for us, we have to go at this game and solidify our spot in that top four. Moana Pasifika have shown they can score tries from anywhere and when they get a roll on, they can be hard to stop.”
Blues
Ofa Tuungafasi
Kurt Eklund
Marcel Renata
James Tucker
Sam Darry
Akira Ioane
Dalton Papalii
Cam Suafoa
Taufa Funaki
Harry Plummer
Caleb Clarke
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Bryce Heem
AJ Lam
Beauden Barrett
Reserves:Soane Vikena
Joshua Fusitu’a
James Lay
Tom Robinson
Anton Segner
Finlay Christie
Rieko Ioane
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Players not considered: Alex Hodgman (shoulder, season), Nepo Laulala (calf), Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Hoskins Sotutu (illness), Tanielu Telea (knee), Mark Telea (rest), Patrick Tuipulotu (knee)
Blues v Moana Pasifika
Saturday May 6
7:05pm (NZT) - EDEN PARK, Auckland
Coverage: SKY SPORT & Gold Sport + iHeart Radio
Blues memberships and ticket information for home games can be found online at www.blues.flicket.co.nz
Chemist Warehouse Charity Drive
This weekend is the Chemist Warehouse Charity Drive raising funds and awareness for the Blues Charitable Trust (BCT). Established in 2022, the BCT runs Youth Leadership Programmes designed to help emerging leaders flourish in their communities. The programme brings Year 11 and 12 students from the Blues region into Blues HQ for a four-week programme focussed on leadership and aims to build confidence, self-awareness, and courage. Fans will have the opportunity to donate to the BCT at the Blues v Moana Pasifika game, either in donation buckets or electronically.
FREE T-SHIRT!
We have 10,000 FREE t-shirts to give away at this weekend’s match. Get along early to Eden Park on Saturday night and look out for the giveaway tables positioned at all four gates around the stadium.
DON’T MISS OUT – t-shirts will be given out on a first in, first served basis.
Orchestra @ Eden Park
The Blues have partnered with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra (APO) to bring you a special pre-match entertainment offering! Through the APO School’s Programme, five schools have learnt an musical mash-up piece put together by the APO. The schools will come together on Saturday night to form a 150-strong orchestra for your entertainment. Keep an eye on the Lower West stand for the musicians made up of students from Avondale College, Liston College, ACG Parnell, Pukekohe High and King’s College.