Trio of Aupiki final stars ruled out in Blues' champions final team

Super Rugby Aupiki final player of the match, Atlanta Lolohea, is one of three Blues players who starred in last week’s Aupiki final to be ruled out of the trans-Tasman champions’ final due to injury.

The back-to-back-to-back Aupiki champions will square off with the Waratahs in Sydney in a rematch of last year’s inaugural champions’ final, doing so without the services of Jaymie Kolose and Maama Vaipulu as well due to injury.

The Auckland squad’s depth has absorbed the absences well, however, with Grace Gago coming in for Lolohea, Eloise Blackwell taking Vaipulu’s place, and Katelyn Vahaakolo stepping in for Kolose.

Black Ferns co-captain Ruahei Demant has been moved to the bench, with Hazel Tubic promoted to starting No.10, joined by Taufa Bason as starters who provided impact off the bench last week in Christchurch.

Last year’s match, played in stormy conditions on Auckland’s North Shore, was won comfortably by the hosts, with a late try to the Waratahs making the scoreline 36-5.

Blues team to play the Waratahs

1. Chryss Viliko
2. Grace Gago
3. Aldora Itunu
4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (c)
5. Eloise Blackwell
6. Amarante Sititi
7. Taufa Bason
8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u
9. Tara Turner
10. Hazel Tubic
11. Katelyn Vahaakolo
12. Hollyrae Mete-Renata
13. Sylvia Brunt
14. Sariyah Paitai
15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee

Reserves: 16. Danny-Elle Fesolai, 17. Nijiho Nagata, 18. Harono Te Iringa, 19. Zara Feaunati (potential debut), 20. Tafito Lafaele, 21. Ffion Penney, 22. Ruahei Demant, 23. Mererangi Paul

Unavailable for selection: Dajian Brown (back), Ella Henderson (concussion), Jaymie Kolose (ankle), Atlanta Lolohea (concussion), Cheyenne Tuli-Fale (back), Maama Vaipulu (knee)