1
All Blacks bolster battling Blues
By Online Editors
The Blues will welcome back All Blacks Ofa Tuungafasi and Matt Duffie for their week eight clash against the Chiefs.
Both missed last week's loss against the Sharks with minor injuries.
Defence and discipline is a big focus for Blues head coach Tana Umaga this week, after they let in six tries and 63 points last weekend.
“We let ourselves down with our team defence. The boys all realise that and have come in this week with a determined attitude. Last year we were developing into a strong team defensive unit and we must get back to that level.
“We also need to be more disciplined. You can’t give away kickable penalties like we did last week.
“We want to be solid and aggressive in our team defence and in the contact areas and show more patience with the ball. Our aim is to improve our performances every week from here in which is a challenge to the squad individually and collectively as a team.”
There is one change to Tana Umaga's forward pack, with Northland loose forward Kara Pryor earning his first start of the season.
Halfback Jonathan Ruru earns his first start in the No. 9 jersey, with George Moala starting on the wing in place of the injured Melani Nanai.
TJ Faiane partners with Rieko Ioane in the midfield.
Duffie is bracketed on the wing with Jordan Hyland, and his place in the side will be decided after today’s final training session.
Among the reserves, Northland captain Matt Moulds takes his place in the No. 16 jersey as he returns from off-season surgery.
Former New Zealand Under 20 representative Dalton Papalii provides loose forward cover, and outside back Orbyn Leger joins former high school teammate Bryn Gatland on the bench.
The Blues were edged 21-26 by the Chiefs in their second-round clash earlier in the season.
BLUES
1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons (C), 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. George Moala, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Matt Duffie/Jordan Hyland,15. Michael Collins.
Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23. Orbyn Leger.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
Dr Hope love spell, you just fixed my relationship. We have been fighting every day and you’ve just fixed it and I cannot thank you enough. Thank you Dr Hope for saving my broken relationship and my boyfriend is back to me. If you have any problem in marriage/relationship. contact him and i guarantee you that he will help you. Here’s his contact: Email him at: marriagehelper91@gmail.com /WhatsApp him: +2349137446738 Thank you Dr you're the most wonderful spiritual Dr I have ever seen.
Go to commentsI dare say it's an "everyone against the ABs" scrapbook. Only time I've seen him give half a compliment is when he talks about other teams beating the Springboks. Even in this article he puts the Argentina win in NZ down to the ABs being bad rather than the Argentines playing well, which they have been doing all year round.
Go to comments