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Blues stars return to starting XV for ‘exciting’ Crusaders clash

By Finn Morton
Rieko Ioane in action for the Blues. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

The Blues have included several All Blacks in their starting XV for their highly anticipated clash with the champion Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

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After losing to the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions 34-28 at Eden Park in round four, Blues coach Leon MacDonald has named a star studded side for the round 12 clash.

All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane and Mark Telea are all set to reclaim their spots in the run-on XV this week, while Patrick Tuipulotu and Hoskins Sotutu will line up in the forwards.

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Hooker Ricky Riccitelli and flanker Adria Choat have also been named. But the Blues have left All Blacks midfield Roger Tuivasa-Sheck out of the matchday 23.

As coach Leon MacDonald discussed, the playoff race for a top four spot is getting “hot” – and this match will have a major say on the regular season.

The Blues, who are currently third on the ladder, will travel south to take on the competitions fourth-ranked side at Orangetheory Stadium.

“The stats suggest we’re going to see an exciting game of rugby and as the playoff race starts to get hot, all teams in the top four mix know the value of home advantage in the first week of the playoffs,” MacDonald said in a statement.

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“A win on Saturday will keep us right in the mix for that top four.”

All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi will take his place in the front row this week alongside Riccitelli and prop Marcel Renata. Locks Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry round out the tight five.

Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu make up the backrow trio for the Blues, and the backline speaks for itself.

Led by halves duo Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett, the Blues have five All Blacks in their backline – with the experienced Harry Plummer and in-form outside Zarn Sullivan the two exceptions.

As for the bench, All Black Akira Ioane is in line for 100th match in Blues colours this weekend.

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“Aki’s a true soldier for us and has been for many years. He’s the type of player you want next to you going into battle and it’s been a privilege to share a changing room with him over the years,” captain Dalton Papali’i said.

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“We know what we’re walking into down in Christchurch – it’s going to be physical. We know what it takes to win down there, and we can take confidence in the fact that we’ve done it before.”

Echoing the captains’ comments, MacDonald also congratulated “Aki” on the milestone.

“I want to congratulate Aki on reaching his 100-game milestone – a serious achievement and testament to the fact he’s kept his fitness and body in good order over many season,” MacDonald said in a statement.

“He showed his value last weekend against Moana Pasifika and we’ll be looking to him for impact down in Christchurch.

“His ball playing skills are well-documented and he often finds an offload where others can’t.

Blues team to take on Crusaders

  1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
  2. Ricky Riccitelli
  3. Marcel Renata
  4. Patrick Tuipulotu
  5. Sam Darry
  6. Adrian Choat
  7. Dalton Papali’i
  8. Hoskins Sotutu
  9. Finlay Christie
  10. Beauden Barrett
  11. Caleb Clarke
  12. Harry Plummer
  13. Rieko Ioane
  14. Mark Telea
  15. Zarn Sullivan

Replacements:

  1. Kurt Eklund
  2. Jordan Lay
  3. James Lay
  4. Cam Suafoa
  5. Akira Ioane
  6. Sam Nock
  7. Bryce Heem
  8. AJ Lam

Not considered: Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Stephen Perofeta, Tanielu Telea

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A
Adrian 40 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

6 Go to comments
T
Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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