1
Beauden Barrett named to start for Blues against Highlanders
Blues star Beauden Barrett will make his first start for the franchise in two years after being named at No 10 for his side’s clash against the Highlanders in Albany on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Barrett overcame a concussion issue that plagued him over the course of the off-season to feature off the bench for the Blues in their 24-22 win over the Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland last week.
It was the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year’s first outing for the franchise since 2020 after having skipped last year’s title-winning season to play for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan’s Top League.
Now, following a shoulder injury to Harry Plummer, Barrett has been named to start for the Blues in one of four changes to the starting lineup made by head coach Leon MacDonald.
One of the other changes to MacDonald’s side has been necessitated by another shoulder injury, this time to star recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has been replaced at second-five by Bryce Heem.
MacDonald said in a statement on Wednesday that both Plummer and Tuivasa-Sheck will be sidelined for “several weeks”, but outlined that Barrett and Heem stood as more than capable replacements.
“Despite being out of the game for a while, Beauden slotted back in as we know he can,” MacDonald said.
“Bryce has had a niggling injury that delayed his start. He was one of our key players last year, and while he played on the wing, he has plenty of experience in the midfield both for me at Tasman and in Europe. His experience and physicality are key factors.”
Meanwhile, in the forward pack, lock Sam Darry and blindside flanker Taine Plumtree have both come into the starting side for the first time this season as incumbents Josh Goodhue and Tom Robinson are handed rests.
Darry’s promotion from the bench to the starting team means uncapped Blues lock James Tucker has been added to the reserves for a potential debut.
“Josh has been beaten up in two outstanding efforts and Tom is batting an ankle injury that has hampered him.
“Sam Darry and Taine Plumtree are two young guys who both had outstanding NPC campaigns, and are itching for their opportunity,” MacDonald said.
“It means that James Tucker, another player who was terrific in the NPC, has the potential for his first cap for the Blues after an injury in pre-season meant he never got to play for us a few years back.”
Only two further changes have been made on the bench, with young hooker Soane Vikena replacing Ricky Riccitelli in the No 16 jersey, while Tanielu Tele’a joins the reserves at the expense of AJ Lam.
ADVERTISEMENT
With all those alterations in mind, MacDonald is hoping for a more complete performance from his side after they were fortunate to avoid defeat at the death against the Chiefs, who squandered a chance to steal the game in injury time via a missed penalty.
“We played quite well against the Hurricanes and lost but we played indifferently last week and got the win. It shows that you can’t control the outcome, but you can control performance,” the Blues boss said.
“We are looking for quantum improvement across the board – better quality possession, better handling, more consistent defensive effort and better decision-making. Most of all, we are looking for a more aggressive, physical and quality performance.”
Kick-off for Friday’s match at North Harbour Stadium is scheduled for 7:05pm.
Blues team to face Highlanders
1.Alex Hodgman
2. Kurt Eklund
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Luke Romano
5. Sam Darry
6. Taine Plumtree
7. Dalton Papalii (c)
8. Hoskins Sotutu
9. Finlay Christie
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Bryce Heem
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Mark Telea
15. Stephen Perofeta
Reserves
16. Soane Vikena
17. Ofa Tuungafasi
18. Marcel Renata
19. James Tucker
20. Adrian Choat
21. Sam Nock
22. Tanielu Tele’a
23. Zarn Sullivan
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments