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Blues name young team for final round clash versus Waratahs
By Sam Smith
The Blues have taken the opportunity to mix experience and exciting youth in their line-up for the final round clash against the Waratahs in Sydney in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition on Saturday.
Coach Leon MacDonald said that the match offered an important chance to give key emerging players some invaluable minutes to prepare them should injuries occur in the playoffs. There are eight players named who were not involved in the close win over the Brumbies to line-up against the Waratahs.
“We are in no way disrespecting our opposition. We have a very healthy respect for the Waratahs and believe we have named a team able to perform to our standards against them,” said MacDonald.
“One of our major strengths this season has been the quality of our young players who have been fronting every week in training. We have had limited chances to see them under pressure in a game situation, and prepare for any potential injuries. We also lost our bye week and we have asked a lot of the guys in recent weeks and they have delivered in spades.”
The team has a proven look to the front five with All Black Nepo Laulala and Samoan international Jordan Lay to start with Ricky Riccitelli in the front row, while Josh Goodhue makes a welcome return from injury to partner Luke Romano in the locks. The centurion has been a talisman this season for the Blues, and is rewarded with the captain’s armband.
There is a youthful zing to the loose forwards with Anton Segner, outstanding against the Brumbies, to partner with Taine Plumtree and Adrian Choat.
The experienced Sam Nock, who moves to within one game of his 50th, starts at halfback with multi-talented Jock McKenzie starting at first-five to lead an exciting and youthful backline of Corey Evans, Tamati Tua, AJ Lam, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Zarn Sullivan.
There is a strong-looking bench including Akira Ioane back from injury, fellow All Black Karl Tu’inukuafe and Maori All Black Marcel Renata, with Nigel Ah Wong, back after another season in Japan, as injury replacement in the backs.
The Blues team to play the Waratahs in Sydney is:
1. Jordan Lay (7 Blues caps)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (8)
3. Nepo Laulala (22)
4. Luke Romano (11) ©
5. Josh Goodhue (43)
6. Anton Segner (6)
7. Adrian Choat (16)
8. Taine Plumtree (3)
9. Sam Nock (48)
10. Jock McKenzie (1)
11. AJ Lam (17)
12. Corey Evans (3)
13. Tamati Tua (2)
14. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (6)
15. Zarn Sullivan (16)
Reserves
16. Soane Vikena (12)
17. Karl Tu’inukuafe (39)
18. Marcel Renata (27)
19. Sam Darry (15)
20. Cameron Suafoa (2)
21. Akira Ioane (91)
22. Taufa Funaki (5)
23. Nigel Ah-Wong (0)
Players not considered: Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Ofa Tu’ungsfasi, Tanielu Tele’a.
-Press Release/Blues
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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