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Blues captain eyes return
By Online Editors
The Blues hope the potential return of a big name will provide a much-needed boost for their Super Rugby clash against the Jaguares at Eden Park on Saturday.
With 19 players on the injured list last week, the Blues have named captain Augustine Pulu and Gerard Cowley-Tuioti for a return from injury, although captain Pulu is bracketed.
They will be without two starters from last week, with midfielder TJ Faiane out for at least two weeks with an ankle sprain and lock Patrick Tuipulotu out with illness.
“It is definitely nice to see some players back out running with the team on the training field, but for those bracketed, it will depend how they come through our contact session this afternoon,” said head coach Tana Umaga.
“While our injured list has been well publicised, equally we do not want to rush players back, especially those who have been out of action for some time. We have who are close to full fitness but their long-term health and welfare is our main priority and we won’t rush them back.”
North Harbour prop Sione Mafileo earns his first start while hooker Leni Apisai joins the reserves as a reward for his showing with the Blues A side last week.
Kara Pryor will need to come through training today after a knock in last week’s game and is bracketed with Dalton Papalii at openside flanker.
Injuries to three key midfielders mean that Rieko Ioane moves back to the midfield with Orbyn Leger while Tumua Manu, who scored a try off the bench in his debut last week, gets a start on the left wing. All Black Matt Duffie starts at fullback.
In light of the injury situation, Umaga will name his reserves closer to the game.
BLUES
1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons (C), 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Josh Goodhue, 6. Jimmy Tupou, 7. Kara Pryor/Dalton Papalii, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Augustine Pulu/Jonathan Ruru, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Tumua Manu, 12. Rieko Ioane, 13. Orbyn Leger, 14. Jordan Hyland,15. Matt Duffie.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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