The team at the bottom of the New Zealand conference, the Blues, hosts the team sitting third in the Africa 1 conference, the Cheetahs. Join The Roar for commentary, scores and your say from 5:30pm AEST.
These sides didn’t play each other last year, but the last time they played it was a heart-stopping win for the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in 2015. They will, however, be looking to score their first win against the Blues in Auckland.
Their recent form though has been poor, they have lost their last seven games, and away from home have lost 10 in a row. The bad news continues for the Cheetahs with the last six matches between these sides being won by the home team.
Expect this one to be an exciting and high scoring encounter, with both sides playing their rugby with ball in hand. The Cheetahs have tried to play running rugby this season while the Blues are the side that averages the most minutes in possession of the football.
It has been the Cheetahs’ defence this season that has let them down, as was the case last week. The South African side managed to score six tries, but they also conceded six tries to go down 45-41 against the Highlanders, they’ve also conceded an average of five tries a game.
For the Blues they have been in great form in their last two, holding the Brumbies try-less in Canberra, and then beating the Waratahs, again away from home. The Blues have shown when they play games that aren’t against New Zealand conference teams that they are a class above sides from elsewhere.
Patrick Tuipulotu will boost the starting side, with Kara Pryor and Ihaia West returning on the bench. They will again look to Steven Luatua to continue leading the side, with the All Black flanker in some great form.
Blues coach Tana Umaga said ahead of the game: “Our playing group have had a big run of games and we will be looking for the players coming in to add some real energy to the team.”
“Last week we produced probably the best first half of the season but dropped off in the second half. We are still looking for 80 minutes of complete football.”
Keep an eye out for Rieko Ioane who tore the Waratahs to shreds last week. It’s scary to think the winger is only 20 years old, and looks a star of the future. It should be an exciting battle against his opposite number Sergeal Petersen.
Prediction
A high-scoring and entertaining affair with the Blues winning this comfortably.
Blues by 14
Join The Roar for commentary, scores and your say from 5:30pm AEST.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Blues put on 40 points last week against the Tahs, 50 points this week against the Cheetahs. Big question is do we see 60 points next week? Live in hope, RT. :)
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
We're back...
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
In reality Thugby... while good to register 'another win'... it was an average match ... Blues were crap at defending mauls (Cheetahs scored 3 of 4 tries from mauls), and Blues defence was 'not quite there'. Also a strong indication of flaky Cheetahs defence is that they leaked 8 tries, most of which were rather soft. If I were Tana Umaga (but I'm not!.. lol), I'd be having some stern words to say to his charges before the one off excursion to Capetown.
taylorman
Roar Guru
True, with losses by 1,4,5,9 to them why do they bother turning up?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Congrats to the long suffering Blues Bros, TM and RT. Only saw the last 10 minutes but 8 tries tells it all. They looked pretty good against the mighty Tah machine last week so this showing isn't that unexpected. Perhaps that awesome talent in the side is finally starting to gel as a team. Them Blues are storming home.
Old Bugger
Guest
Congrats RT....good solid win.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
I can travel in the night through my astral travels...hide away there. I may have to go back to K road and smoke those tea leaves and see if I can shapeshift!!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Haha! ... well mate I've been spending the kids inheritance for a while ... lol
Machooka
Roar Guru
She's coming for ya bro... outta my hands now. Fear. And remember... you've gotta sleep sometime. This is where she goes goes to work... fear, omg fear!!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
TM.... Four in a row after next week .... 'only the Stormers in Capetown! ... have to show Paul Feeney that he should not have deserted ship ... *S*
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks Brent... that was hard. HARD! :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
*doing happy dance*.... Three in a row!... Yee Haa... three in a row!... Go Blues go you good thing!!!!!
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Thanks, Brent, thanks all!! So it is man and the night continues... Very fine comments Chook and Tragic as always. Sick bro!
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ummmm... a really expensive disease. Possibly. Probably. ;)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks Brent for your call .... good stuff mate
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah they caught that off the Landers...
Machooka
Roar Guru
Pierce off TM :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Errr sounds like a disease! .... lol
taylorman
Roar Guru
This three-peat's gotta rate up there with Jordan's Chicago Bulls in the 80s surely?
Danny
Roar Pro
Obviously big win for Blues but what will it take to revive the Blues of yesteryear? Maybe time - the backs do seem young? Or maybe a combo of skills, composure and 80 minute focus? They clearly remain the weakest NZ franchise by some margin in the eyes of this scribe.