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Mixed news for key All Blacks as Blues name team for ‘knockout footy’
By Finn Morton
The Blues have been dealt a major blow ahead of their blockbuster quarter-final with the Waratahs at Eden Park on Friday night.
All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke will miss the match due to a leg injury, and veteran lock Patrick Tuipulotu has also been ruled out for the rest of the season with an arm injury.
But it isn’t all bad news.
Beauden Barrett is back.
The playmaker sustained a cut to his heel against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane last month, but has been named in the No. 10 jersey to face the Tahs.
All Black Hoskins Sotutu is also back at No. 8 after a week off, and fan-favourite Tom Robinson shifts from the backrow to lock.
“We were in early this week to get clarity for what we want to achieve against the Waratahs,” coach Leon MacDonald said in a statement.
“What’s happened in the regular season means nothing on Friday night.
“Knockout footy brings a special kind of intensity, it’s where we learn about players under pressure and we’re looking forward to putting on a performance for our home fans, our friends and families.
“You never want to face a team after a loss, they will be hurting and out to spoil our party at Eden Park.
“We’ve seen when they put it together, they’re a very dangerous outfit so we need to show up on Friday night prepared for a battle.”
Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Ricky Riccitelli and Nepo Laulala will start in the front row, while Robinson and James Tucker round out the tight five.
Akira Ioane joins fellow New Zealand internationals Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu in a formidable loose forward trio.
“It’s a simple equation for us – win and we advance,” Papali’i said. “That’s all we want from this match and all we expect of ourselves.
“Finals footy brings out a different beats, you play for these big matches and big moments and the team are ready to stand up.”
Finlay Christie will line up alongside Barrett in the halves, while Bryce Heem and Rieko Ioane will combine in the midfield.
AJ Lam and Mark Telea will take their place on the wings, while in-form outside back Zarn Sullivan will run out in the No. 15 jumper.
The match between the Blues and Waratahs at Auckland’s Eden Park is set to get underway at 7.35pm NZST on Friday night.
Blues team to take on Waratahs
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- Ricky Riccitelli
- Nepo Laulala
- Tom Robinson
- James Tucker
- Akira Ioane
- Dalton Papali’i (c)
- Hoskins Sotutu
- Finlay Christie
- Beauden Barrett
- AJ Lam
- Bryce Heem
- Rieko Ioane
- Mark Telea
- Zarn Sullivan
Replacements:
- Kurt Eklund
- Jordan Lay
- Marcel Renata
- Cameron Suafoa
- Anton Segner
- Sam Nock
- Harry Plummer
- Stephen Perofeta
Players not considered: Adrian Choat, Caleb Clarke, Sam Darry, Alex Hodgman, Tanielu Telea, Patrick Tuipulotu
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Latest Comments
Actually you need to read my responses properly. The response on which you responded is actually aimed at CO, another responder. Go read my original response on Ben Smith's BS. He is a bloody joke, a wannabe. And so is any of that losers followers. If you talk crap all the time it try to clickbait like BS, then don't expect people to respect him.
Most people (not you of course) will never take him serious. We all see him exactly for who and what he is. Talking about victories for the French in 2017 and 2021. Most of those players isn't in the AB's team. In the game in the WC the AB's was fresh off a hiding from the Boks with their confidence so easy targets. Unsettled team with a coach that already lost his job. As if that is such a motivation, most players knowing under Robinson they will be dropped for his Crusaders players.
Not exactly the environment in which to claim WC honours. Yet, despite all that turmoil, that AB team that got thrashed by the Boks and lost to France, came back and made the WC Final. None of these things get mentioned. Oh no, that doesn't suit his narrative doesn't it? He needs to clickbait the SH teams as usual.
I'm not a violent man, not always, but that's a pathetic little worm I would break every bone in his body, and each sound of breaking bone would give me as much pleasure as a win for the Boks. I would record the sound of his breaking bones and use it as a new ringtone. That is how much respect I have for idiot clickbaiters like him.
Instead of proper articles like the rest out there, all he mostly dish up is tripe. He should change his name to Tripe Smith. That is a much better description of the weasel. Is that dissing enough for you? Next time, actually read to who my responses are aimed at and read their responses as to what elicited that type of response from me.
I don't usually strip myself for any response by you. I actually agree with most everything you usually say and I'm sure you would be a much better writer than BS, however, make sure you read to who and why the responses there is from various people before commenting. As for Lomu, he is one of the greats, despite not getting a WC trophy. I only had the highest regard for that man. What a player and what a human being he was.
Go to commentsCannot find the team anywhere. Skelton and uru sounds good though
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