Sunwolves v Blues
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1.OfaTu’ungafasi, 2. James Parsons (c), 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Akira Ioane, 7.Blake Gibson, 8. Steven Luatua; 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. Ihaia West, 11. Melani Nanai, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. George Moala, 14. Matt Duffie, 15. Michael Collins.
Replacements: 16. Hame Faiva, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Josh Goodhue, 20. Jerome Kaino, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. Rene Ranger
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Charlie Faumuina and Steven Luatua will play their last games for the Blues in their Investec Super Rugby season finale against the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday. Coach Tana Umaga has honoured the club’s first ever clash against the Sunwolves with their strongest possible combination including the Blues’ All Blacks Jerome Kaino, Faumuina, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Akira Ioane. While New Zealand is rugging-up for a wintry blast this week, the Blues are preparing for temperatures over 30C Deg for the clash against the Sunwolves which kicks off at 12noon local time on Saturday. Umaga said he is expecting a lively and challenging match. “It is clearly a challenge to come back after a four-week break for a one-off game, as the Sunwolves have had two games in South Africa,” Umaga said. “We know the conditions will be tough but we have prepared as well as possible for that. “We have a number of players who will be in a Blues jersey for the final time and we want to honour them, as well as honour the Sunwolves in our first time in Japan by selecting our best possible team and playing good Blues rugby.” It will be the 99th game for the Blues for prop Faumuina, with what would have been his 100th thwarted by a bout of tonsillitis which sidelined him from their last Super game before the break, against the Reds in Samoa ion. Faumuina, who heads to France to play for Toulouse, is a major contributor to the game, with 50 games for Auckland and earning his 50th cap for the All Blacks in the final test against the British & Irish Lions last weekend. Luatua, who moves to England to play for Bristol under former Blues coach Pat Lam, has played 75 times for the club since his debut in 2012, including twice playing every game of the Super season. The loose forward/lock, who turned just 26 years recently, has played 38 times for Auckland and has 15 caps for the All Blacks. The game also marks the 45th and last in Blues colours for Ihaia West, who moves to the Hurricanes next season. The Blues had a warm-up match against the Honda club in Suzuka last weekend, with lock Patrick Tuipulotu and first-five Piers Francis both injured in that match and have returned home. Other not considered include Billy Guyton (leg), Leighton Price (concussion), Jimmy Tupou (calf, Matt Moulds (knee), Kara Pryor (calf), Namatahi Waa (neck) and Rieko Ioane (illness). -
@KiwiMurph Would have also liked to have seen Trainor on the bench for Ranger.
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I would've liked Trainor to get a start here, just to get some experience and to see what he has to offer before next season. He has the most upside of any of our fullback options, and is the only fullback we have who can run, kick and pass well. It gives our back 3 play less predictability when you have that sort of fullback. He is more the style of fullback every other NZ team uses.
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@Dice said in Sunwolves v Blues:
@Bones said in Sunwolves v Blues:
@Dice he's no Collins though.
We can only hope he reaches such heights. Justin was a great player.
Fixed to give it the proper Blues focus
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@KiwiMurph haha deceptively slow...
