Blues v Force

[Duluth]

BLUES TEAM NAMED FOR CRUCIAL FORCE CLASH — Blues Rugby

The Blues have named a refreshed matchday 23 for their crucial Round 12 clash against the Western Force at Eden Park this Friday night.    In the forward pack, Dalton Papali’i returns at openside flanker after recovering from an ankle injury, bringing his experience back into the l

1. Joshua Fusitu’a (31)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (45)
3. Marcel Renata (60)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (118)
5. Laghlan McWhannell (17)
6. Anton Segner (32)
7. Dalton Papali’i (91)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (73)
9. Taufa Funaki (30)
10. Beauden Barrett (38)
11. AJ Lam (52)
12. Xavi Taele (2)
13. Rieko Ioane (122)
14. Cole Forbes (24)
15. Stephen Perofeta (72)

Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (69), 17. Mason Tupaea (5), 18. Angus Ta’avao (76), 19. Josh Beehre (21), 20. Cam Christie (6), 21. Adrian Choat (49), 22. Sam Nock (78), 23. Corey Evans (22)

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Players not considered due to injury: Caleb Clarke (thigh), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season).

[george33]

Dalton back ,that's huge, rumour was 1 more week,

[Duluth]

6/2

Good to see Funaki get the start

Less injuries than were rumoured. Having another prop back from injury helps

[Duluth]

Nathan Williamson  /  Apr 29

Beale starts British and Irish Lions push as fullback makes long-awaited injury return

Wallabies legend Kurtley Beale has given the Western Force a major boost after being named to return from injury.

Ryan Coxon, Nic Dolly, Tom Robertson, Jeremy Williams (c), Darcy Swain, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Reed Prinsep; Henry Robertson, Ben Donaldson, Mac Grealy, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Harry Potter, Kurtley Beale

Replacements: Albert Alcock, Atu Moli, Josh Smith, Josh Thompson, Will Harris, Nic White, Max Burey, George Poolman

[george33]

@Duluth brilliant, Funaki, Perofeta, attack mode hopefully

[george33]

Big plus Renata, even no Gus went brilliant.

[Duluth]

@george33 said in Blues v Force:

Big plus Renata, even no Gus went brilliant.

Angus has been playing well but because the reserves weren't trusted he's been getting subbed very late.

[george33]

@Duluth agree, have you heard any Nepo Laulala, possibly replacing Angus next season?

[Tim]

Any hope of getting a reserve loosehead back? Ben Ake is injured despite not being listed?

[ploughboy]

Tizzano got no turnovers against chiefs . will be interesting if blues can do the same

[ARHS]

Feel sorry for Spencer and Grindlay.

[Grooter]

@ARHS always been impressed by Grindlay for taranaki but judging by his non selection during his time at the blues vern doesn't rate him

[Duluth]

A couple of changes

Joshua Fusitu'a, Ricky Riccitelli, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Laghlan McWhannell, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali'i, Hoskins Sotutu, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Corey Evans, Xavi Taele, Rieko Ioane, Cole Forbes, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta'avao, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, AJ Lam

AJ and Corey swapped for some reason?

Suafoa is on the bench, not Christie

[antipodean]

Force read the stupid lineout move well and good attacking opportunity lost.

[antipodean]

Brilliant by Dalton - Force hot on attack there.

[Steven Harris]

Some average tackling from the Blues keep that up and it will be a long night

[Bones]

Oof, BB probably lucky there.

[African Monkey]

Blues missing a lot of first up tackles.

[antipodean]

Perofeta with dogshit defence. Beaudy lucky not to be carded there.

[Steven Harris]

Blues forwards being owned in the early physicality stakes