The Blues play host to the Hurricanes at Eden Park, as New Zealand referee Nick Briant takes the reins in his first Super Rugby game of 2016. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for live scores and commentary.
Both teams suffered losses in Round 2, the Hurricanes went down by one point to the Highlanders in a rematch of last year’s final, while the Blues were overpowered by the Crusaders 28-13 at AMI Stadium.
Following the loss in Christchurch, Blues coach Tana Umaga has made nine changes.
Charlie Faumuina moves back into the number 3 jersey at the expense of Sione Mafileo, which captain Jerome Kaino said is a massive boost for set pieces, although he tempered expectations on his All Black teammate.
“It’s not about one man – it’s about an eight-man scrum and an eight-man lineout,” Kaino said.
“We all need to buy into that. Having him starting this weekend is huge. He adds a lot to the pack and hopefully we can all feed off that.”
Additional changes for the men from Auckland include another All Black, Steven Luatua, starting at lock. As a result Patrick Tuipulotu, who has been impressive in his last two starts after returning from the injury that derailed his World Cup campaign, is on the bench.
Bryn Hall and Ihaia West return to the halves after being benched against the Crusaders. Akira Ioane will make his first starting appearance at the back of the scrum, while outside centre Male Sa’u and fullback Lolagi Visinia return.
“We think this is the best side to go up against the Hurricanes and get us a result,” Umaga said.
Down the other end of the North Island, the Hurricanes have started, somewhat unexpectedly, with a 0-2 record. Not helping their cause is the continued absence of hooker and captain Dane Coles, who will also miss this fixture.
Injury clouds were also hovering over Nehe Milner-Skudder and Cory Jane, but both have been cleared to play.
The last clash between these two sides was Round 15, 2015, when the Hurricanes ran out winners.
Prediction
Without Coles, the Blues will be too strong for the Canes.
Blues by 3.
Just_win
Guest
Why didn't the Blues take a scrum on the last play? They had a strong scrum all night & the Canes were one man down in the scrum with Vito being yellow carded. The rolling maul for the Blues was not that great so I would have gone with the scrum.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Ha Chook..no worries, woke this morning, checked bed, no blood so I guess I didn't slash my wrists... pillow a little wet though from all the tears .... *S*
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Very interesting "Real Time no knock-on" call by A.Savea. I dunno what the TMO was drinking but its obviously much stronger beer than mine. Best "try" of the match was Tevita Li’s, it was such a great run, they should have given it to him as reward. :) Good game though, all of the NZ derbies are worth watching. Sadly the Earth spins the wrong way. You watch games like this one or the Highlanders v Canes last week, then an hour later you are watching the Reds show all and sundry how many times they can drop the pill in 80 minutes. The Blues are killing my Tipping Points. Three weeks in a row, they have cost me. This East Bondi team had better get their act together and soon. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Machooka
Roar Guru
I agree Tragic... like wtf TM? You either is or you ain't money!?! Hey TM, it's only round three... you're sounding like a precious omg QLDer (sorry MrRobC) so get a dog up ya!! It reminds me of that ad for us slightly older men, and their hair needs, on their snowing head bits... yeah the flakey bits on older blokes... 'it won't happen overnight but it will happen.' Tragic, I don't usually give a toss about TM's opinions :) him being sooo Kiwi like, and always being effin' right in that divine white feather waving thingy sort of a way, but this disturbs me a little. And true right buddy... had West manage to kick a goal or two, three, or four there'd be no need for this comment. But he DIDN'T !
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
C'mon TM, running with the foxes and chasing with the hounds here mate. If your kid is trying but things are not going right, you don't get down on them ... you show them love and encouragement ... don't you? They had one real chance in the final flurry, when they flung the ball wide, unfortunately Male Sa'u (I think it was) could not take the pass ... even without a straight overlap I think that he or his winger would have gotten over the chalk. Ok they got the penalty but hammering away on one out pick and go which without momentum which I feel was easier to stop en mass as a simple little mistake as was made under stress and fatigue was destined to happen against the yellow and black brick wall. But all said and done, I think they lost the game in the first 20 mins, if West who has a reasonable success average, put one of the 4 he missed in the first half between the posts, at the death, instead of having to get a five pointer, conversion of one of the many penalties at the end would have been enough.
DCNZ
Guest
i really have no idea how my Canes won that game!
Taylorman
Guest
Yep well done Canes, sure does make a difference with the lineout allowed at the end of the match. This was typical of last years start where Blues won everything but the game. Couldn't win a trick then, can't now. Until this side starts making its own luck, it's doomed to the cellar again.
RobC
Roar Guru
Good one Mr Chook. Looking forward to tomorrow
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Blues lost the game in the 1st 20 mins, had all the possession and territory for very few points... but it happens. Just sorry for the Blues as it was a home game.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Score board 'unfortunately' says the try was scored... just gotta accept it
ethan
Guest
It was a knock on and the idea that watching it in real time to come up with the decision was crazy. What's the point of using slow mo for anything then? Oh yes, because it helps give you a clearer view... TMO's debut... big mistake.
ethan
Guest
Actually, come to think of it the 2nd Perenara try might have been the difference. Ardie Savea knocked that on for all money.
ethan
Guest
Still trying to work out how the Hurricanes won. Blues seemed on top for most of it. I would say Wests off night with the boot hurt, but Barrett wasn't any better.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Check the results mate... no knock on.... *sob*
Digby
Roar Guru
Got no answers for ya mate, just don't know. Can't remember 'real time' being used before? I am actually a fan of real time decisions, but why bother with slow motion then? I actually left the room to go to the bathroom, thinking it was a knock on. Crazy to me.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Tevita Li's 'no' try WAS the best try of the games ... right call though ... man he has some gas huh?
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Rats!
abdul
Guest
Agree. Congrats on the win Digger but I was a bit stunned listening to the commentators talking through that and going on about real time. I had just seen the ball being knocked on in slow motion and the commentators are saying, nah it looks OK in real time so should be right. Isn't that what the video ref is all about, having a look using the available technology to make the correct decision?
Digby
Roar Guru
I was mate, we faded badly in that last 10. Still not really sure how we got out of it to be honest.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Rats!