Beauden Barrett set for 150th Super Rugby match as Blues name team

Playmaker Beauden Barrett will play his 150^th Super Rugby match on Saturday when the Blues host the NSW Waratahs at Eden Park.

Barrett made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2011, and has gone on to achieve almost unrivalled success in the sport.

The flyhalf famously led the Hurricanes to their first-ever Super Rugby title in 2016, where he was crowned the Player of the Final on a wet and windy day in Wellington.

While Barrett will certainly be remembered as a legend of the Hurricanes, the pivot moved north to the Blues a few years ago.

Barrett played a starring role in the Blues’ impressive winning streak last season, which saw the Auckland-based make the final at Eden Park.

Midfielder Harry Plummer will also play his 50^th match in Blues colours when he runs out onto Eden Park this weekend.

“As players we all know the sacrifice and commitment needed to reach those milestones so I want to congratulate Beaudy and Harry on their 150^th and 50^th respectively, as well as Sam Darry who brings up his 20^th ‘blazer game’ for us on Saturday night,” captain Patrick Tuipulotu said.

“It’s always an honour to lead the Blues and this weekend will be no different.

“We want to put together back-to-back wins for the first time this season and really kick-start some momentum (heading) into the second half of our campaign.”

Coming off the bye, the Blues are looking to record back-to-back wins for the first time this season. While it was a couple of weeks ago now, Barrett put on a masterclass in the win over the Rebels.

Captain Dalton Papali’i has been ruled out of the match due to a rib injury, so All Black Patrick Tuipulotu will lead the team as the skipper in round nine.

Tuipulotu will pack down alongside a familiar looking fight five, while Anton Segner, Adrian Choat and Hoskins Sotutu round out the forwards.

As for the backline, the Blues have some incredible talent to choose from every week. Every player in the backline, except milestone man Harry Plummer, has played international rugby for the All Blacks.

Beauden Barrett will partner Finlay Christie in the halves, while Plumer while run out alongside Rieko Ioane in the midfield.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald said the team is “exuding energy and focus” after returning from the bye week.

“The bye week came at a good time for the boys, and it’s been pleasing to see them return to work this week exuding energy and focus,” MacDonald said a statement.

“There’s no easy game in this competition and the Waratahs pose threats across the park, we’ve had a good look at the video and have a few ideas on where we want to attack them on Saturday night.”

The match is set to kick-off at 7.05pm NZST at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Blues team to take on Waratahs

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
2. Ricky Riccitelli
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c)
5. Sam Darry
6. Anton Segner
7. Adrian Choat
8. Hoskins Sotutu
9. Finlay Christie
10. Beauden Barrett
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Harry Plummer
13. Rieko Ioane
14. Mark Telea
15. Stephen Perofeta

Replacements:

16. Soane Vikena
17. Jordan Lay
18. James Lay
19. Cameron Suafoa
20. Akira Ioane
21. Sam Nock
22. Bryce Heem
23. Zarn Sullivan

Players not considered: Alex Hodgman, AJ Lam, Dalton Papali’i, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck