Final: Blues vs Crusaders
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Papalii bracketed on the bench.
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BLUES VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED FOR FINAL — Blues Rugby
An exciting lineup has been selected to take on the Crusaders in Saturday’s sell-out Grand Final of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific at Eden Park on Saturday. The forwards remain the same as the semifinal win over the Brumbies, which means that openside flanker Adrian Choat, the only player to have been
The Blues team to play the Crusaders at Eden Park is (Blues caps in brackets):
- Alex Hodgman (54)
- Kurt Eklund (37)
- Nepo Laulala (25)
- Josh Goodhue (46)
- Tom Robinson (44)
- Akira Ioane (94)
- Adrian Choat (19)
- Hoskins Sotutu (36)
- Finlay Christie (30)
- Beauden Barrett (17)
- AJ Lam (20)
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (11)
- Rieko Ioane (85)
- Mark Telea (38)
- Stephen Perofeta (44)
- Soane Vikena (14)
- Karl Tu’inukuafe (42)
- Ofa Tuungafasi (120)
- Luke Romano (14)
- Dalton Papalii (55) or James Tucker (11)
- Sam Nock (50)
- Bryce Heem (19)
- Zarn Sullivan (18)
Players not considered: Harry Plummer, Anton Segner, Jordan Lay, Tanielu Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans.
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Blues captain and All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii faces a fitness test today after being named on the bench for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park.
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Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge. -
@Tim said in Final: Blues vs Crusaders:
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge.Corey Kellow on the bench? Who did they have there last week?
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@Tim said in Final: Blues vs Crusaders:
An exciting lineup has been selected to take on the Crusaders in Saturday’s sell-out Grand Final of the DHL Super Rugby Pacific at Eden Park on Saturday. The forwards remain the same as the semifinal win over the Brumbies, which means that openside flanker Adrian Choat, the only player to have been
The Blues team to play the Crusaders at Eden Park is (Blues caps in brackets):
- Alex Hodgman (54)
- Kurt Eklund (37)
- Nepo Laulala (25)
- Josh Goodhue (46)
- Tom Robinson (44)
- Akira Ioane (94)
- Adrian Choat (19)
- Hoskins Sotutu (36)
- Finlay Christie (30)
- Beauden Barrett (17)
- AJ Lam (20)
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (11)
- Rieko Ioane (85)
- Mark Telea (38)
- Stephen Perofeta (44)
- Soane Vikena (14)
- Karl Tu’inukuafe (42)
- Ofa Tuungafasi (120)
- Luke Romano (14)
- Dalton Papalii (55) or James Tucker (11)
- Sam Nock (50)
- Bryce Heem (19)
- Zarn Sullivan (18)
Players not considered: Harry Plummer, Anton Segner, Jordan Lay, Tanielu Tele’a, Caleb Clarke, Corey Evans.
I papalii plays I would be very surprised if he doesn't start
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considering the vast majority of the nation's starting All Blacks are playing, if this game lacks quality then we are fucked.
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Blues coach Leon MacDonald said Papalii was “confident” of proving his fitness, and was hopeful a final decision would come in the aftermath of Thursday’s main training run.
“Dalts has got a few boxes to tick,” said MacDonald. “He’s got to get through a big part of today’s training and feel really confident, it’s a big game for him to have any doubts, so we want him to come off the grass feeling like he’s ready to go.”
Asked the likelihood of the inspirational skipper playing his part off the bench, MacDonald smiled and said: “Speaking to him, he’s pretty confident, but that’s Dalts, he’s always like that and full of energy. Fingers crossed he gets through today well.”
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@Toddy said in Final: Blues vs Crusaders:
Is one of the boxes Dalton has to complete the misconduct hearing? Or has that all been swept under the carpet.
Considering how quickly Frizell was whisked back into the ABs and how quickly Reece was whisked into the ABs I highly doubt a misconduct hearing is anything but a rubber stamp.
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@chimoaus said in Final: Blues vs Crusaders:
Gotta say this one is too tough to call, and I am just going to enjoy it as rugby spectacle.
Crusaders tight 5 make them favourites. Getting All Blacks back is massive; their engine room is massive.
Teams for Super Rugby final revealed: Late fitness test for Blues star
