Blues
53
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
26
| S. Perofeta |  | 77 | ||
| S. Vikena |  | 76 | ||
| 71 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 70 | | J. Campbell | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 68 | ||
| S. Vikena | | 67 | ||
| 62 | | J. Campbell | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 57 | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 56 | ||
| B. Barrett | | 44 | ||
| C. Clarke | | 42 | ||
| 40 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 38 | | R. Smith | ||
| B. Heem | | 31 | ||
| 22 | | J. O'Connor | ||
| 21 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 18 | ||
| C. Clarke | | 17 | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 14 | ||
| B. Heem | | 13 | ||
| S. Perofeta |  | 7 |
| 8 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Super Rugby Pacific leaders, the Blues will take on the Queensland Reds at Eden Park, Auckland as the New Zealand side look to cement their position at the top of the table. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:05pm AEST.
The return of James O’Connor to the Reds starting line up is the big news from this match. His inclusion in the run on side is one of six changes that coach Brad Thorn has made as the Queenslanders try to get their season back on track after a recent slip down the ladder.
Just as important to the Reds is the return of Hunter Paisami to the centres where he’ll be going up against Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Rieko Ioane in a stunning battle.
Seru Uru moves to number eight to provide cover for the concussed Harry Wilson while Angus Scott-Young starts at openside flanker with Fraser McReight unfortunately being ruled out through illness.
The Blues are the strongest side in the competition this year and are at home for this game but they won’t be taking the Reds lightly. They know that their opponents tonight are in a battle with the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Tahs for the crucial fourth spot on the ladder.
The Blues have named an impressive side therefore with the back row drawing the eye as it is stocked with All Black talent in Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu.
Beauden Barrett slots back in at fly half but Stephen Perofeta has impressed with his form and stays in the run on side at full back.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald has said that his side are in the right frame of mind for this clash against the Reds at home.
“This is our final regular-season game at Eden Park and the team is determined to make it a Blues performance of quality for our fans,” said MacDonald earlier this week.
This should be a thrilling game with talent all over the park and plenty of interesting battles to keep an eye on including the back rows, Barrett vs JOC and the centre pairings.
Game Information
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Blues $1.08, Reds $7.50 – odds via PlayUp
Blues (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, James Tucker, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta
Reserves: Soana Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Luke Romano, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
Reds (1-15): Dane Zander, Albert Anae, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Angus Scott-Young, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott (c), James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
Reserves: Matt Faessler, Harry Hoopert, Sef Fa’agase, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tuaina Tualima, Kalani Thomas, Hamish Stewart, Lawson Creighton
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Hmmm , how about a better coach? Not too difficult, thorn is too much”culture” not enough recruitment and tactics.
Toulouse Lautrec
Roar Rookie
Sorry, cannot agree with anything you say, too much sugar tonight?
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
???????????????????????????????? .... :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:
piru
Roar Rookie
Well I mean, RA could make a decision for the good of all of Australia... Haha just kidding, I know that's not their job
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Looks like we are stuffed then.
Kiwi Bob
Guest
Yes an experienced 7 would’ve been useful. His partners in the backrow were also poor. They were ponderous to the breakdown.
piru
Roar Rookie
Well if we couldn't get one up when the Tahs were horrible, the Sydney clubs sure aren't going to allow one while they're competitive.
piru
Roar Rookie
Time for the Reds to be axed, eh Ducky?
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
I agree that they need to look at those things, but skills development of non Wallabies in the NRC can't be discounted. For example tonight they had a blindside flanker playing at number 7 because of injuries, which would have impacted the ability of the Reds to counter quick ball. If we had the NRC there might well have been another 7 who was prepared enough to bring in from club land. Just speculation on my part for thos game as I only followed on here so you tell me, do you think a proper 7 would have helped?
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Pilf, I'm sure that Egon Seconds is available for the SRP final. Just sign a form that you love all referees before you watch the game. :laughing:
Coker
Roar Rookie
Reds got Crusaders and Blues at home last year. Didn't help. Although they did manage to keep the score against the Blues a lot closer.
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Hunter has been disappointing this year that’s for sure. Seemed to get injured early.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Barrett played the full 80 against the Force...
Reds Harry
Roar Rookie
Strong agree with all of that Thugby. Go the Tahs! :sick: :shocked:
Faith
Roar Rookie
If you’d been doing the same in min 30th the same would have happened only that the penalties were flowing in the other direction.
Oblosnky’s Other Pun
Guest
Always hard to attribute “blame” between the players and the coach from the outside. But the historical performance of Thorn’s Reds is quite poor aside from 2021, and really poor against the Kiwis - his team just can’t quite seem to work out how to beat the Kiwis.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Vunivalu needs to repeat Grade 1 in rugby defence
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Dead right OzinSA, but I think all the kiwi refs tend to allow anything but premeditated murder in the breakdowns. :silly:
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Harry...I'd say he will be the back up for ikitau(if he remains on form and injury free) in the long-term for the nr 13 rather then HP..
Charlie Turner
Guest
The Reds have lost the mongrel they had in SRAU. The backrow and locks were drifting in and out of the game as if participation was optional. Uru was a highlight reel when the ruck pillars were asleep or absent in SRAU…..you don’t get those lapses against kiwi teams, at least not after u10’s. The Reds strength over the last 18 months has been defence and that has deserted them too…is it attitude or something Matt Todd can address quickly?