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Blues welcome back All Blacks for Sharks clash
By Online Editors
After coming off the bench in the season opener, the Blues welcome three All Blacks into its starting line-up to take on the Sharks in Durban on Sunday (NZ time).
Props Ofa Tuungafasi and Karl Tu’inukuafe join Sonny Bill Williams in the run-on side for the second round of Super Rugby, following their 24-22 loss to defending champions, the Crusaders at home last weekend.
There’s a double celebration with Melani Nanai, starting a fullback, and No 8 Akira Ioane playing in their 50th Super Rugby game for the Blues. Ioane, who also played for the Blues against the Lions, celebrated his 50 games for the club last week.
Tu’inukuafe and Tu'ungafasi make their first start together for the Blues, but both have previously paired up for the All Blacks.
The remainder of the pack is the same that started against the Crusaders, including All Blacks Dalton Papalii and captain Patrick Tuipulotu.
Williams starts in his customary second five position with the in-form TJ Faiane at centre, while Ma’a Nonu is spelled after his first game back in Super Rugby after four years last week.
New Zealand Under-20s winger Caleb Clarke moves to the right wing after a superb pre-season with star All Black Rieko Ioane on the left wing, while the free-running Nanai, impressive against the Crusaders, moves to fullback.
Another New Zealand under-20s player Tanielu Tele’a, a versatile outside back who also impressed in pre-season, is positioned for his debut off the bench.
Coach Leon Macdonald said he is looking for improvements against the Sharks, a dangerous and open-running team. While he was not involved last year, he said many of the team remembers the loss to the South African side at Eden Park last year.
BLUES
15. Melani Nanai, 14. Caleb Clarke, 13. TJ Faiane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Rieko Ioane, 10. Otere Black, 9. Jonathan Ruru; 8. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papalii, 6. Tom Robinson, 5. Josh Goodhue, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 2. James Parsons, 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe. Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20. Matt Matich, 21. Augustine Pulu, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Tanielu Tele’a.
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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