Friday, April 5TH, 2024 EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND,NZ
Blues Navigate Injury Crisis Ahead of Showdown with Force
The Blues, on the quick back up from beating Moana Pasifika on Saturday night, have an injury crisis on their hands. However, with none of them expected to be long term absences, and Friday’s clash being against the bottom of the table Western Force, the second palced Blues should be able to ride this storm out.
Blues’ Injury Woes
Blues coach Vern Cotter has made 10 changes to the starting side who cleaned up Moana Pasifika with five of them being forced through a minor injury crisis.
Only Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke survive from the backline that helped put away Moana Pasifika, and in the pack, there are also five changes with captain Patrick Tuipulotu being one of those, due to concussion protocols.
In a huge blow, All Blacks star Mark Telea will sit out the match with a rib cartilage injury he has been managing for several weeks.
All Blacks’ scrum-half Finlay Christie is sidelined due to a groin issue, while the renowned No.10, Stephen Perofeta, is out of action owing to a shoulder injury. Additionally, Bryce Heem, the second-five eighth, is absent due to concussion protocols.
Cotter’s Concern
Cotter has identified Perofeta as the most concerning among his injured players, although he has also reassured that the severity of the shoulder injury is less significant than initially anticipated.
Offsetting the wounded will be the return of flanker Dalton Papali’i, who will captain the side in the absence of Tuipulotu.
Last week coach Vern Cotter had already deployed all three of his substitute backs, so he had to think outside the box as his side closed out a win over Pasifika.
Rethinking Strategy
Ricky Riccitelli would come on to make his 100th Blues appearance at hooker, starting hooker Soane Vikena would play as a loose forward, and No 8 Hoskins Sotutu would shift to second five-eighth. That’s right from number, 8 to 12. Not bad.
Blues
Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Corey Evans, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Taufa Funaki; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i (capt), Akira Ioane, Laghlan McWhannell, Josh Beehre, Angus Ta’avao, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Reserves. Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, Marcel Renata, Anton Segner, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Lucas Cashmore, Caleb Tangitau
Force’s Adjustments
Mean while the Force have made several changes of their own off the back of their loss to the Drua with Max Burey moving back into fullback in the absence of Harry Potter and Sam Carter making his first start for the Force. Facing an understaffed Blues squad presents an ideal opportunity for the Force to climb off the bottom of the ladder. However, to secure victory in Auckland, they must replicate their performance against the Reds.
Force
Max Burey, Bayley Kuenzle, Sam Spink, Hamish Stewart, Chase Tiatia, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Reed Prinsep, Carlo Tizzano, Tim Anstee, Thomas Franklin, Sam Carter, Santiago Medrano, Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon.
Reserves. Ben Funnell, Marley Pearce, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Will Harris, Ollie Callan, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Henry O’Donnell.
Prediction
I think at home, even with all the changes the Blues will get this one, leaving the Force at the bottom of the table.
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