SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC, MAY 6th, 2023 BLUES v MOANA PASIFIKA
EDEN PARK,AUCKLAND,NZ
All Blacks centurion Beauden Barrett gets his first start for the Blues season at fullback, while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from his hand fracture at No 12 as Leon MacDonald shuffles his backline for Saturday’s clash against their crosstown mates.
There is also a first start since the season opener for Akira Ioane at No 6 as the Blues look to take their Super Rugby Pacific win streak to four against the winless outfit from Mount Smart.
All told there are seven personnel changes and three positional switches from last week’s hard-fought 30-14 victory over the Drua in Lautoka.
As well as Barrett flipping to fullback (with Zarn Sullivan getting the round off), Harry Plummer shifts in a spot to first five and lock Cameron Suafoa switches to No 8, with Hoskins Sotutu out with illness.
AJ Lam gets the start on the right wing, with international Mark Telea on his national rest, Bryce Heem comes in at centre, with Rieko Ioane dropping to the bench, Tuivasa-Sheck slots in at 12 and Taufa Funaki runs out at halfback with Fin Christie covering off the pine.
Up front James Tucker slots into the second row (Patrick Tuipulotu gets another week to rest his knee), Ioane brings his X-factor to the loose and Kurt Eklund gets the nod at hooker, with Soane Vikena on a bench that should provide quality impact courtesy of, among others, Tom Robinson, Anton Segner, Christie and Ioane.
Barrett’s selection at fullback is notable. The 31-year-old, 112-test playmaker has been used on and off at No 15 by Ian Foster during his time in charge, and with Richie Mo’unga and Damian McKenzie also contending strongly for the World Cup first five role, the All Blacks coach will be keen to reassess Barrett’s form at the back.
MacDonald has also been smart with his selections. With a pivotal clash against the Crusaders looming next, and the Blues keen to continue to build on the momentum of their three-match win streak, the coach has eased the workload for some key figures, brought back some fresher types for starts, and still sends out a lineup that looks well capable of putting their big-city rivals to the sword.
Blues:
Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Bryce Heem, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Taufa Funaki; Cameron Suafoa, Dalton Papalii (capt), Akira Ioane, Sam Darry, James Tucker, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi.
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, James Lay, Tom Robinson, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Rieko Ioane, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Meanwhile, Moana Pasifika have made just three changes to their starting XV in the wake of last week’s 43-33 defeat at home to the Melbourne Rebels.
D’Angelo Leuila comes in to start at second five-eighths in the only backline change, rep;lacing Danny Toala, while up front Chris Apoua slots in at tighthead prop for Isi Tu’ungafasi and Alamanda Motuga returns from his hamstring strain to replace Jonah Mau’u at No 7.
On the bench Luteru Tolai replaces Ray Niuia as backup hooker, Tau Koloamatangi takes Apoua’s spot as tighthead impact and Mau’u drops to the pine to cover the loose forward spots.
Moana, at 0-9, are desperate to open their account for the season and would have been encouraged by their three-try final quarter last Saturday which at least made a contest of it against the Rebels.
Moana Pasifika:
William Havili, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Levi Aumua, D’Angelo Leuila, Neria Fomai, Christian Lealiifano, Ereatara Enari; Solomone Funaki (c), Alamanda Motuga, Miracle Faiilagi, Mike McKee, Michael Curry, Chris Apoua, Samiuela Moli, Abraham Pole.
Reserves: Luteru Tolai Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Tau Koloamatangi, Alex McRobbie, Jonah Mau’u, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi.
Referee. Graham Cooper
Assistant Referees. Cameron Stone, Mike Winter
PREDICTION.
Even with all the changes here the Blues will be too good and while this is Pasifika’s home game the ground is also home to the Blues. Blues by 21 points.
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