Blues
31
Match Complete
Moana Pasifika
30
| 81 |  | Penalty Try | ||
| 67 | | F. Inisi | ||
| 62 |  | D. Leuila | ||
| Z. Sullivan |  | 58 | ||
| S. Darry | | 57 | ||
| 47 | | C. Leali'ifano | ||
| 46 | | C. Leali'ifano | ||
| 40 | | A. Pole | ||
| 36 | | C. Leali'ifano | ||
| 35 | | T. Tavatavanawai | ||
| H. Plummer | | 29 | ||
| C. Clarke | | 29 | ||
| K. Eklund | | 25 | ||
| A. Ioane | | 19 | ||
| 12 | | C. Leali'ifano |
| 4 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is back for the Blues but Leon MacDonald has made seven personnel changes and a further three positional tweaks to his side to take on Moana Pasifika. Join The Roar for live updates from 5.05pm AEST.
After coming through their difficult assignment in Fiji in flying colours, MacDonald has been forced into juggling beating the lowly Moana Pasifika and preparing for next week’s tough trip to take on the Crusaders.
Lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been given another week to recover from his knee-injury while several players have been rested.
Nonetheless, MacDonald has named a strong side that sees Akira Ioane return at blindside flanker and Harry Plummer shift to the playmaking position. That sees Beauden Barrett return to fullback.
Tuivasa-Sheck makes his return from a hand injury to partner Bryce Heem in the midfield.
There’s some strike power to bring off the bench, with All Blacks Finlay Christie and Rieko Ioane to inject some pace into the game.
Moana Pasifika head coach Aaron Mauger has made just three changes to his side that produced a late comeback but suffered their ninth straight defeat against the Rebels last week.
D’Angelo Leuila replaces Danny Toala at inside centre, while up front Chris Apoua slots in at tight-head prop for Isi Tu’ungafasi. Alamanda Motuga returns from his hamstring strain to replace Jonah Mau’u in the back-row.
Game information
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Odds: Blues $1.04, Moana $15.00 – odds via Playup
Teams
Blues (1-5): Ofa Tuungafasi, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Cameron Suafoa, Taufa Funaki, Harry Plummer, Caleb Clark, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Beauden Barrett
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Joshua Fusitu’a, James Lay, Tom Robinson, Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Rieko Ioane, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Moana (1-15): Abraham Pole, Samiuela Moli, Chris Apoua, Michael Curry, Mike McKee, Miracle Failagi, Alamanda Motuga, Solomone, Funaki (c), Ereatara Enari, Christian Lealiifano, Neria Fomai, D’Angelo Leuila, Levi Aumua, Timoci Tavatavanawai, William Havili
Replacements: Luteru Tolai, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Tau Koloamatangi, Alex McRobbie, Jonah Mau’u, Jonathan Taumateine, Lincoln McClutchie, Fine Inisi
Referee: Graham Cooper
Fox
Roar Guru
RTS was replaced into the second half. Akira Ioane had an outstanding game by-the-way - strong workrate - 15+ carries - superb line break and offlaod to set up Clerke try - try saving defence on the line. The best I have seen him play for the Blues. Tooks lineouts. Though some won't like it on here HIghlander he had a great game and was very physical. Sometimes credit has to be given where it is due. And he showed he is still the best Off-loading 6 in NZ and one of the toughest to pull down when he is at full pace. Played the enrtire game as well. First starting game back after injury last week. Lloks like they hjave changed his role as well as he was not playing out wide nearly as often as previously.
Nah, the ref thought he was French. No need to go to a penalty try, just control yourself and the game.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate
Highlander
Roar Guru
Only caught this at the end so can someone advise me Was RTS injured or just dragged again?
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Absolute softcock way to end the game. Hard luck Moana.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
To be fair, the Drua knocking over the Canes earlier in the day was a good upset. The rugby Gods must have thought one was enough for today. Shame though, would have loved to see MP get this one over the line.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
So true Harry, I am sure that MP will genuinely learn from the experience. They are such a young team that will only grow with more experience. :thumbup:
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Oh I don’t blame the Blues or the ref. Just thought the competition needs an upset and a penalty try, whivh looked deserved, is a disappointing way to win it
Paulo
Roar Rookie
31-30. Penalty try in 82nd min to Blues gave them 1pt win.
Tez
Roar Rookie
Excuse me but the published score sheet shows MP won but all comments saying Blues won. Which is correct?
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Someone at TheRoar forgot too enter the final score of the match and currently it's feeding 24-30 into the tipping comp results as well as not having the right score up top here.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Should have been.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, I was confused by that too. My understanding is the infringing player is ‘removed’ from the play if their infringement prevents a try. Surely that high tackle meets that threshold?
donmcdazzle
Roar Rookie
Ofa showed why he should never be picked for the ABs again. Dropped it cold a few times and gave away scrum penalties against a clearly inferior scrum.
Coker
Roar Rookie
I guess the thing is that discipline becomes impossible to maintain when you're down to 6 in the scrum. The laws certainly allow it, and one could reasonably argue that MP brought it upon themselves, but they were caught in a bit of a Catch-22 situation.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
How though? It was the lack of discipline that cost MP the win. The Blues played with intelligence knowing that MP would eventually cave which they did.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Remember that the fault for that lies with the players and their coaches, not the ref.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Sad outcome for the competition with a penalty try deciding things.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
Whew. Squeaked home. Well done Blues. Good performance from Akita tonight. Putting in effort.
WEST
Roar Guru
That was a Bugger! So close, but no cigar