SATURDAY 9th MARCH, 2024 SKY STADIUM WELLINGTON NZ
Prediction
These are two unbeaten teams so one is going to get the chocolates and the other not much at all.
Probably only a bruising for finishing second.
The Blues look the better side to me, but as we know the Canes are always tough at home.
Blues’ Star Hoskins Sotutu Benched Despite Stellar Form: Cotter’s Tactical Maneuver Revealed
Hoskins Sotutu has been arguably the form New Zealand rugby player of the first two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, but rides the pine for the Blues’ Saturday night visit to the Hurricanes as Vern Cotter plays the long game alongside the short one.
Cotter’s Balancing Act for Blues’ Long-Term Success
Cotter desperately wants to win this tribal clash between two of the three unbeaten Kiwi teams of the competition, and has provided a nod to the expected physical nature of the contest by naming a 6-2 reserves split.
But the first-year Blues coach is also conscious he’s got a larger objective in play, and it’s vital he shares the load through the round-robin to build competitiveness, options and form within his capable squad.
That’s why Sotutu, with five tries in two matches, and a performance that has him getting a nod at the vacant All Black No 8 jumper, this week finds himself on the bench, with skipper Dalton Papali’i, newly re-signed ex Tasman player Anton Segner, originally from Germany, and the bruising Akira Ioane to fill the starting loose forward spots.
Cotter’s Plan for Blues’ Front Row Dominance
It’s also, to a slightly lesser extent, why powerhouse All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is handed a “conditioning” week after his first game back from a knee injury.
Again, Cotter has a longer-term goal in mind with a plan that clearly challenges the 31-year-old prop. With Cotter losing his second first-choice second-rower for an extended stint during last week’s 37-29 victory over the Highlanders, Sam Darry out for at least six weeks with an MCL tear – the temptation might have been to keep his pack largely intact, with an eight-day turnaround up his sleeve.
Tu’ungafasi, who has played 57 tests for the All Blacks and is into his 12th season with the Blues, is a slightly different decision as he misses the 23 altogether.
Renata and Fusitu’a Lead, Lam Shifts to Left Wing
Marcel Renata and Joshua Fusitu’a start up front, with Jordan Lay and Angus Ta’avao covering off the pine. In the backs, Finlay Christie and Rieko Ioane return from All Blacks rest to start, while Caleb Clarke and Bryce Heem are out of the 23, with AJ Lam moving across to the left wing and Harry Plummer promoted to start at second-five.
Higgins Steps In for Barrett’s Suspension
Riley Higgins will slot into the Hurricanes midfield for the Blues clash after co-captain Jordie Barrett was suspended for 3 weeks after his red card against the Reds for a high shot last weekend. Higgins will play at 12, with Billy Proctor – who becomes a co-captain with Asafo Aumua in Barrett’s absence – outside him at centre.
Perenara Returns as Roigard Leads from Halfback
The Hurricanes will be aiming for three on the trot this season and will welcome back former All Blacks star TJ Perenara, who will start from the bench, with Cam Roigard the starting halfback. It will be Perenara’s first Super Rugby match since being side lined with a long-term Achilles injury he suffered on the All Blacks end of year tour in 2022. Former Chiefs forward James Tucker will make his Hurricanes debut at lock.
Line-ups
Blues
Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i (capt), Anton Segner, Cameron Suafoa, Laghlan McWhannell, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a.
Reserves. Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Cole Forbes.
Hurricanes.
Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Billy Proctor (co-capt), Riley Higgins, Kini Naholo, Brett Cameron, Cam Roigard; Brayden Iose, Peter Lakai, TK Howden, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Tucker, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua (co-capt), Tevita Mafileo.
Reserves. James O’Reilly, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Caleb Delany, Devan Flanders, TJ Perenara, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi.
Referee. Jordan Way
Assistant Referees. Nick Hogan, Natarsha Ganley
Read about Crusader vs Dura from here
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