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Stephen Perofeta back in action
By Online Editors
Promising Blues first five eighth Stephen Perofeta's Super Rugby return may be just around the corner.
The highly touted 20-year-old started in the No 10 jersey for the Blues A side on Friday afternoon.
Fellow Blues first five Otere Black stepped in as assistant coach as he continues to rehab an ACL injury.
After Perofeta's injury, the Blues were reluctant to give a hard return date and set his recovery timeline at six weeks, potentially ruling him out from the side's trip to South Africa over the next two weeks.
After losing both Black and Perofeta before the start of the regular season, Bryn Gatland has been thrust into Tana Umaga's starting side at first five.
Gatland scored the Blues' first try of the season against the Highlanders last week.
Both Perofeta and Gatland's most impressive professional performances came during last year's British and Irish Lions tour. Perofeta started at first five during the Blues' victory over the Lions, while Gatland started for the Provincial Barbarians against his father's Lions side.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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