1
Blues name largely unchanged side for Stormers clash
By RugbyPass
Tana Umaga has made one injury-forced change to his side for their week five clash against the Stormers.
Pauliasi Manu earns a start at loosehead prop after Alex Hodgman suffered an arm injury last week, ruling him out.
Outside of loosehead prop, the same starting side that pulled off a thrilling last gasp comeback win against the Lions will feature.
In the reserves, Tana Umaga has opted for five-three split, which sees George Moala rejoin the side in the No. 23 jersey.
The Blues have lost lock Scott Scrafton to a training injury, with Blues A captain Josh Goodhue joining prop Sione Mafileo as injury cover.
Coach Umaga said the side is well motivated and determined to build on their winning effort against the Lions last week.
“We are naturally pleased with the result and with many aspects of our performance last week, but we also realize that we must continue to improve every week.
“The Stormers have had the wood on us in recent years and we need to work very hard this week to prepare for what will be another tough encounter here in South Africa.
“There were many parts of our game that were pleasing last week but we gave away two tries and did not cherish our possession enough.
“We can’t afford to give the Stormers the same opportunities that we gave the Lions, but at the same time we want to play with the same level of commitment, aggression and belief.”
The Blues will chase a second win in South Africa in a season for the first time in 10 years, with the game kicking off at 2.05am NZ time on Sunday.
BLUES
1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Antonio Kiri Kiri, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Sam Nock, 10. Bryn Gatland, 11. Melani Nanai, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Matt Duffie, 15. Michael Collins.
Reserves: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Ross Wright/Sione Mafileo, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. George Moala.
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
Agreed. Borthwick will have to write a new excuse book soon .
I have looked at the two world cup final teams from 2003 and 2020.
2003 team scored 187 tries between them in 389 caps
2020 team scored 113 tries between them in 473 caps. As you can see a huge disparity in scoring rate. Only Johnny May with 36 tries in 78 caps scored a higher amount of tries. Elliot Daly comes close but the rest are frankly very poor.
Farrell and Ford scored a pathetic 20 tries between them in a combined 210 caps.
There again , the 2003 team did have Wilko and Greenwood etc whereas 2020 team had Ford and Farrell .
So much people saying that Fords strength is of bringing others into the game .
Really. The figures totally disprove that notion .
It has been mentioned elsewhere that we have accepted mediocrity far too often and the figures would indicate that players are or have been picked far too often without performing .
Go to commentsNot disputing that NZ are ahead of Eng. Also not saying Eng are unlucky (though clearly the tone of the article is not that the ABs were unlucky but that they 'should have' won). Your team are looking great and are on the up. I just felt that Pundits have argued Eng 'should have' won the first test against the ABs, when it's more nuanced than that, and very fine margins determine results that Eng didn't get right. Same applies, therefore, to NZ and other nations. Ben Smith though doesn't seem to see it that way. To be clear: I'm not saying I agree with the 'should haves', but more that I take issue with the phrasing.
Good to see your respect for other nations is so strong! Proper rugby fan you are!!!
Go to comments