After last week’s loss to the Brumbies, the Blues will be trying to move back into the top six on the Super Rugby ladder when they go to Dundedin to meet the Highlanders. We’ll have live scores from 5.35pm AEST.
It was a baffling decision by Blues skipper Ali Williams, and one that ultimately cost his side the match.
As howling wind and driving rain sheeted across Eden Park, Williams elected for his side to run against the conditions and as a result they spent large parts of the first half camped in their own territory, and eventually went into the break 14-0 down.
To their credit, the Blues did fight back to within four points at 14-10 and 17-13, but couldn’t quite overhaul Jake White’s team.
They should have it easier tonight in the indoor comforts of Forsyth Barr Stadium against a Highlanders side rooted to the bottom of the overall Super Rugby ladder, with only one win from their 12 matches.
The Highlanders’ abysmal season continued last weekend when they were pipped 19-18 by the Force after clutching onto a slender lead with four minutes remaining.
There has been casualties from the loss, with Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph making seven changes to the side who lost in Perth.
All Blacks Ma’a Nonu and Aaron Joseph headline the omissions, with Japanese international Fumiaki Tanaka and Colin Slade two of the more notable inclusions.
For the Blues Anthony Boric comes into the starting XV, while Luke Braid has overcome a groin strain and will keep his spot at openside.
After the Crusaders’ one-point win over the Waratahs last night, the pressure is on the Blues to keep pace with a Highlanders side who will be keen to send them back to Auckland with a loss.
Who wins it? Find out from 5.35pm AEST as we begin a blockbuster night of rugby, culminating in the British and Irish Lions’ match with the Barbarians at 9.30pm AEST.
Jerry
Guest
Royce Willis? OMFG.
richard
Guest
Agreed the ABs will lose their number 1 spot this year,but I wouldn't be too sure they will get it back in 2014. The AB pack won't be that strong this year IMO,and I think we may be looking at a few lean years,up to and including the next WC.A lot of the greats are past their use by date,and I'm not sure the replacements are up to it.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Jerry Collins and Doug Howlett didn't play for the All Blacks in 2008. Do you have a clue what you're talking about?
Chivas
Guest
Ok so lets look at 2008. Is that the period when Ali was the third most important player for the AB's.amongst in the forwards, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Richie McCaw, Tony Woodcock, Jerry Collins.... Backs Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Douglas Howlett, Rokocoko, Sivivatu.... And Ali Williams was ahead of all those players in terms of importance and second only to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw... Is that what you want me to believe??? Well guess what regardless of what Pail Gregor writes there are many commentators that don't agree. Finally as for dramatics. You are the one who created an untruth to support your comment regarding who I support and what I think. It was a baseless personal comment, so please forgive me if I find your comments less than interesting when you clearly are rather loose with facts. I shared an opinion from what I have seen and what I think. You disagree fine. You are entitled to. I don't rate him in the tip three AllBlacks in any year and I certainly wouldn't rate him in the top few locks in the world in any year. Nor is that to say he didn't have his best year in that period. He did and I still think he is flakey and prefer other players. I'm pretty sure if Royce Willis had remained in New Xealand Ali would have seen a lot less time as an AB. You are entitled to think what you like, bit trying to tell me my opinion is invalid because you read a couple of books that said he was good suggests the books have commercial intent and your interpretation is somewhat confused... The third most influential AB.... my mums knitting group thinks he seems like a nice boy.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
I don't care who you respond to so spare me the dramatics. Ali Williams was one of the most important players for the All Blacks in 2008. It was in the 2009 NZ Rugby Almanack, it was in Planet Rugby's 2008 Team of the Year, it's in Hunter's bio of him for the Rugby Museum, and it was in Gregor Paul's article about his retirement. It's not a contentious statement in way, shape or form.
Chivas
Guest
OJ... You are the one who made an outrageous statement regarding me and who I support. It is so outlandish as to make no sense. Secondly you rate Ali Williams behind Dan Carter and Richie McCaw in the AB's. And you think you are right. I don't normally respond or comment on your deluded posts because they are that of someone with a fairly shallow rugby background. But you are flagrantly wrong and is some strange world think you have put forward some kind of convincing argument. You have convinced me I have been correct in not responding to your posts in he past and to avoid doing so in the future. You have a mind like a steel trap. I can see that now.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
A simple "I'm wrong" would have sufficed.
Carl Pieters
Guest
Tanaka is world class and puts the current All Black scrumhalf to shame.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Ranger signed back in December. The latest news is that his agent has been exploring a buy out option, but it's rumoured to be $300,000.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
As I understand it, Ranger has delayed signing to see if he could make the ABs. France at full strength is a top 4 side on paper in my opinion. They just dont deliver often enough.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
I would like to see 1 B.Franks/Woody 2 Hore/Coles 3 O.Franks/Afeaki 4 Rettalick/Romano 5 Whitelock 6 Luatua/ Messam 7 Cane 8 Read 9 TKB 10 Cruden/Carter 11 Savea 12 Saili/Nonu 13 Ranger 14 B.Smith 15 Anscombe By the end of the year if possible.
atlas
Guest
the first test is an odd one, with, as I understand it, most of the French players involved in this weekend's Top 14 final not being involved - so the first test not a real indication if their strength. However any French side will be tough Will Gear be considered now he confirmed he's off to France? Ranger to France also. And with Bird injured, Craig Clarke even though he's off to Ireland? Also Ellison - Japan? The NZ travel agency!
jimmyd
Guest
Not the years. ..just the mileage. .
Well Ruck me.
Guest
I am worried Atlas. The default ABs is no longer strong enough. I hope Hansen shows a little initiative.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The starting line-up seems about right. I wouldn't object to Dagg being dropped for Smith, but I don't really think the Blues outside backs are ready for test rugby. Hosea Gear send a bit of a message to the selectors tonight but I don't think they like the idea of playing him and Savea together.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
Wilson Flatley
Roar Rookie
Your comment was incoherent, how laughable to bring race into it, your frequent tendencies to bring racism into conversations shows an astounding amount of racial paranoia.
atlas
Guest
only 3 Smiths? are there no more? Is Read OK to play after going off injured last night? Bird is definitely out - needs surgery this week torn pectoral muscles and won't see him again this Super season. Weepu won't be allowed to play after that concussion - I believe current laws prohibit it. And so they should. Replace with Thrush and Kerr-Barlow?
Well Ruck me.
Guest
My personal opinion is that the ABs will lose the number 1 spot this year but will gain it back towards the end of 2014. Carter, C.Smith, McCaw, Weepu, Mealamu, Woodcock, C.Jane, A.Williams, Hore, Nonu have to be transitioned out of the starting team in my opinion and that wont be seamless.
Well Ruck me.
Guest
Any predictions for the first test 23? 1 Woody 2 Hore 3 O.Franks 4 Romano 5 Rettalick 6 Messam 7 Cane 8 Read (capt) 9 Smith 10 Carter 11 Savea 12 Nonu 13 Smith 14 Smith 15 Dagg Coles, B.Franks, Afeaki, Bird, Vito, Weepu, Cruden, Ranger. Thats my guess and I think it will be very different to the first choice team at the end of the year.