Blues
27
Match Complete
Hurricanes
17
| O. Black |  | 80 | ||
| 75 |  | R. Prinsep | ||
| O. Black |  | 66 | ||
| M. Telea | | 64 | ||
| O. Black | | 51 | ||
| T. Faiane | | 50 | ||
| 45 | | J. Barrett | ||
| 41 | | J. Barrett | ||
| O. Black | | 38 | ||
| 36 | | J. Barrett | ||
| 30 | |||
| 26 | | J. Barrett |
| 3 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 4 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Blues will look to get their season back on track and rid themselves of their poor decision making as they take on the Hurricanes in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 16:55 AEDT on Saturday.
Ahead of the season, there was plenty of talk about how the Blues could be a genuine threat to the Crusaders and were, at worst, the second-best team in New Zealand. After the first five rounds however, they have won two, lost two and the season is in the balance.
After last week’s surprising loss to the Chiefs, Leon MacDonald made seven changes. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu is out through injury and is replaced by youngster Sam Derry. The rookie will be joined in the second row by Gerard Cowley-Tuioti whilst in the front row Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tuungafasi will get the chance to start the match.
After a good performance last week, Tom Robinson gets to start in the back row and out of form Akira Ioane will be on the bench. In the backs, Sam Nock will start at fly-half with TJ Faiane outside him at inside-centre.
There has been a lot of talk about the six kickable penalties that the Blues turned down in the hunt for tries against the Chiefs. While it’s easy to criticise those on the field from the comfort of a keyboard, some of those six decisions were really poor and the Blues will want to be much more in control this week.
For the Hurricanes, this is also a crucial game. They have only won one match so far but that victory came last week so another one this weekend could start to feel like some proper momentum.
This week’s Canes side will see some exciting power on the wings with Julian Savea joining Salesi Rayasi so look forward to the Canes trying to turn the Blues and give their big speedsters something to chase down.
There are only two other changes to the Canes starting line up with James Blackwell joining the second row and Fraser Armstrong replacing Xavier Numia in the front row.
Prediction
This could be a really tight game and should be an exciting battle. The Canes pack, and especially their back row were impressive against the Highlanders last week and if they can repeat that performance then they will set up their backs to take this one.
Hurricanes by 7.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog starting from 16:55 AEDT on Saturday.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Blues $1.30, Hurricanes $3.50 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Blues
1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Luteru Tolai, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 5. Sam Darry, 6. Tom Robinson (c), 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Otere Black, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Telea, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Bench: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Josh Goodhue, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. AJ Lam
Hurricanes
1. Fraser Armstrong, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Scott Scrafton, 6. Reed Prinsep, 7. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Luke Campbell, 10. Orbyn Leger, 11. Salesi Rayasi, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Jordie Barrett
Bench: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Tevita Mafileo, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Devan Flanders, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. Peter Umaga-Jensen, 23. Wes Goosen
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that 'Lander. Good to hear about how Papalii is delivering on his promise, I don't have a great handle on all those rotating Blues loosies! I'm also concerned about Sotutu, skills aren't enough, especially in the forwards.
Highlander
Roar Guru
Papalii in a straight swap for Cane, Friz and Sotutu would have been my choice but the last couple of weeks making me question Hoskins in the fight.
moaman
Roar Guru
BD/DC I only read this morning that Cane is injured-out for 6 months. Papali'i would be my favourite----Ardie to the bench, a proper #8 and I personally would stick with Frizzell at 6 although there is some serious competition out there---Blackadder, Jacobsen et al. Thought Sotutu was average first 40 last night but looked much better after h/t.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cane is a no brainer if fit but gee there are some great options running around in the loose right now.
Digby
Roar Guru
Love Tom
Digby
Roar Guru
Pretty much Moa, selection Canes wise has been a disappointment also, but just the lack of intensity last night was my biggest bugbear. We might just finish fifth if we pull our socks up.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
I mean now that Cane is injured.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Pleased to hear about his engine, I really like the look of him.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thugby, we got a win, but played IMO very average. HC needs to ensure his charges understand they must okay “as a team”, but a band of individual. Blues box kicking was hopeless, mostly to opponents who were not challenged .. just giving away so much possession for no gain is inexcusable. Both Nock and Ruru were guilty of those box kicks, so frustrating.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Dalton Papalii ...when he hits a man, they stay hit .. big strong, plays for 80 mins at #7 but also like him as a potential long term # 6
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I think that’s ok if the selectors think that by 2023 Sotutu will be an 80 minute test 8 and Frizzell our best hard yards, Kaino style 6. But we also have to give experience to someone who can play the unglamorous workaholic Cane style role and it certainly isn’t one of them! I think Jacobson could be that man, although others may have noticed someone else.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I don't think it will be a big issue hence the ABs are playing a doubleheader against Italy in July (and a one-off against Fiji). Whoever plays will probably look good. Pretty big chance that Cane will be back for the RC. But right now I would go with Frizell, Savea, and Sotutu. Jacobson is a personal favorite, but he probably needs to play the house down for a couple of months to be in contention.
Harry Jones
Expert
Tom Tom Tom
Harry Jones
Expert
What about Tom?
moaman
Roar Guru
I'd still pick Cane, but an awesome alternative.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Surely a shoe in for the AB's #7. he was immense.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
With Sam Cane out who do Roarers think should be in our loose forward trio? Ardie has a unique skillset, going the full 80 and making a lot of metres. To complement him I think we need some hard work and heavy hitting. No show ponies who do all their best work in the wide channels. Cane certainly gave us the hard work, leadership and organisation, we saw in Japan what happens if he isn't replaced like for like. As a Chiefs fan I see a lot of Jacobson and in Cane's absence I think he'd be excellent. He hits hard, has a great workrate, has a massive heart, and led the baby blacks to the world cup win in 2017. Let's see how he goes in the rest of Super Rugby. I missed most of the game today but I'd like to see how big red goes with a run in the six jersey for the Blues. There's lots of other guys - Friz, Akira, Blackadder, Grace, Sotutu - who need to show they can do the hard work for 80. At 7, has anyone shown that they can do what Cane does? What do you think everyone?
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Pretty good display from Ruru in terms of tactical nous.
moaman
Roar Guru
Papalii is an absolute stand-out.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
I'm a neutral. No dog in this fight. Kirifi missed it at first go then used a hand in the ruck to drag the ball back. The moment he missed the first go, is the last time he could use hands in the ruck. Always a penalty. Savea wasn't the right player to bin for the penalty try, but that was the right decision. A Hurricanes player took the maul down just before it got to the try line after moving steadily forward. Should be more penalty tries from collapsing mauls a metre or two from the line. Those decisions didn't decide the game. The Hurricanes lack of creativity with the ball allowed the Blues defence to shut them down time and again.