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‘Key’ trio return as Blues look to wrap up top spot against Chiefs

Caleb Clarke of the Blues looks on ahead of the round nine Super Rugby Pacific match between Blues and ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, on April 20, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Blues coach Vern Cotter has welcomed some “key” players back into the matchday squad as the ladder leaders prepare for a decisive Battle of the Bombays against the Chiefs on Saturday.

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While the Hurricanes are equal on competition points with the Blues on the Super Rugby Pacific standings, the Auckland-based side has a clear advantage with a substantially better points differential.

The first tie-breaker when teams are equal on points on the ladder is the total number of wins, but those two Kiwi teams have 11 victories to their name so far. If they’re both still tied after round 15, then points difference is the deciding factor.

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    It’s no secret that securing top spot could prove crucial by the time the playoffs get underway, so this weekend’s clash with New Zealand rivals the Chiefs at Eden Park “has the potential for real fireworks.”

    Rugby World Cup finalist Finlay Christie is in line to return from a niggly groin injury after being named on the bench. Christie hasn’t played since starting in a win over Moana Pasifika in round six back in March.

    All Blacks Dalton Papali’i and Caleb Clarke are also set to start for the Blues after missing the round 14 defeat to a resurgent Crusaders outfit at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium.

    “We’re happy to welcome a couple of key boys back this week in Caleb, Dalton and Fin,” coach Vern Cotter said in a statement.

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    “They’ve ben bouncing around the facility all week and can’t wait to rip in on Saturday.”

    Prop Marcel Renata will play his 50th match for the Blues after being named to start at tighthead prop. Renata joins in-form Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Ricky Riccitelli in a strong front row.

    Patrick Tuipulotu will pack down alongside Sam Darry in the middle row, while the star-studded backrow trio of Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu round out a lethal Blues forward pack.

    Head-to-Head

    Last 5 Meetings

    Wins
    2
    Draws
    0
    Wins
    3
    Average Points scored
    26
    21
    First try wins
    80%
    Home team wins
    80%

    Taufa Funaki will partner playmaker Harry Plummer in the halves once again, with AJ Lam and Rieko Ioane just outside them in the midfield.

    All Black Caleb Clarke will line up on the left wing, and Mark Tele’a will start on the right. Stephen Perofeta will provide another playmaking option for the Blues after being named at fullback for another match.

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    “Our performance wasn’t good enough last week, we know that, we’ve talked about it and we aim to improve it against the Chiefs,” Cotter explained.

    “This game is crucial in determining the playoff standings – I would be encouraging anyone in the Blues region to head along on Saturday night, this game has the potential for real fireworks.”

     This match at Auckland’s Eden Park is set to get underway at 7.05 pm NZT on Saturday evening. With the Hurricanes playing earlier that day, the Blues will know what they need to do to secure top spot.

    Blues team to take on Chiefs

    1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
    2. Ricky Riccitelli
    3. Marcel Renata (50th Blues cap)
    4. Patrick Tuipulotu
    5. Sam Darry
    6. Akira Ioane
    7. Dalton Papali’i
    8. Hoskins Sotutu
    9. Taufa Funaki
    10. Harry Plummer
    11. Caleb Clarke
    12. AJ Lam
    13. Rieko Ioane
    14. Mark Tele’a
    15. Stephen Perofeta

    Replacements

    1. Kurt Eklund
    2. Joshua Fusitu’a
    3. Angus Ta’avao
    4. Cameron Suafoa
    5. Adrian Choat
    6. Finlay Christie
    7. Corey Evans
    8. Cole Forbes

    Players not considered: Lucas Cashmore, Bryce Heem, Jordan Lay, Laghlan McWhannell, Zarn Sullivan

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    R
    RedWarriors 1 hour ago
    Rassie Erasmus wades into heated debate over Jaden Hendrikse antics

    Look son: putting up barriers that could hit your GDP by 4% negative is dumb. You supported that? You are dumb. Or rich enough so that your ideological brain farts are borne by the poor…in other words a w@nker.


    Triggering a 2 year countdown at the end of which the UK economy would fall off a cliff is also extremely stupid. It is beyond idiotic to start a negotiation like that and give your opponents such a slam dunk. But this is exactly what Brexiteers (you presumably) screeched for. You were always going to lose, but once you did that you were going to lose very badly. Nothing to do with traitors and saboteurs and whatever phrases a f1lthy n@zi like you will concoct. Everything to do with incompetence. You’r chief negotiator said “We hold all the cards”. You couldn’t leave with no deal because that would be the end of your economy. The EU would have let you shoot yourselves on the head. Ireland wouldn’t have been able to help you there son. Would you recommend triggering article 50 if you had your time back Doc? Are you still that f**king dumb?


    The 142 competences created by the GFA required regulatory harmony to fulfill their functions. Therefore a soft border is implicit in the GFA. All parties acknowledge this. You lost. Move on.


    Again the official UK Brexit negotiators are well known and all Brexiteers. As a Doctor like yourself will know your ‘saboteur’ conspiracy theory unless you can substantiate it.

    Are you sure you are a doctor? (Dipsh1t)


    I refer you to the below to examine what cards the UK in effect held:


    You’re a latent homosexual right?


    The EU and Ireland look at their cards and lay down a royal flush. The UK looks at their cards and gulps…It’s Mr Bun the Baker, Pikachu, a Shadowmage, a fireball spell, and the Fool. 

    #UkHoldAllThe Cards #SickManOfEurope

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