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Blues
30
Match Complete
Western Force
17
| 77 |  | H. Stewart | ||
| 76 |  | Z. Kibirige | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 62 | ||
| R. Riccitelli | | 60 | ||
| 56 | | T. Pulu | ||
| M. Telea | | 47 | ||
| 34 | | M. Wells | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 32 | ||
| O. Tu'ungafasi | | 31 | ||
| J. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens | | 28 | ||
| S. Perofeta |  | 25 | ||
| S. Perofeta | | 4 |
| 4 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Show Preview
Simon Cron has made four changes to his side starting side against the Blues, with Sam Spink to make his debut for the Force. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 1:35pm (AEDT).
The Force have made four changes to the team that lost a rollercoaster match to the Highlanders a week ago in Invercargill.
Former London Wasps outside centre Sam Spink will make his debut after an injury in the pre-season ruled him out for the first few rounds. The outside centre impressed during the pre-season, and he will partner Hamish Stewart in the centres.
There has been an injury-forced shake up in the front-row, with Wallabies hooker Folau Fainga’a returning after an Achilles injury, while fellow Wallaby Tom Robertson’s concussion sees Angus Wagner start up front.
Tim Anstee gets a crack at the seven jersey after a strong performance off the bench last week against the ‘Landers. While the Force bring back some firepower, the Blues have taken the opportunity to rest some All Blacks stars. Prop Nepo Laulala, Test halves Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett, centre Rieko Ioane and winger Caleb Clarke have each been rested due to New Zealand Rugby’s World Cup protocols. Former rugby league sensation Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been ruled out due to a hand injury.
Stephen Perofeta has had to step into fly-half in a refashioned Blues side dealing with WC protocols and a growing injury list. The gravest of the latest injuries is Alex Hodgman who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hand injury as well.
“It was a real ding-dong over the weekend and we’ve unfortunately picked up a couple more injuries,” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said.
Force coach Simon Cron will look at the mountain of All Blacks talent left out of the Blues side and think his team can turn this from an almost certain defeat into a scrap.
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 1.35pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Blues $1.06, Force $10 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Blues (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Tucker, Cameron Suafoa, Anton Segner, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Nock, Stephen Perofeta, Mark Telea, Harry Plummer (c), Bryce Heem, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Zarn Sullivan
Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, Tom Robinson, Sam Darry, Taine Plumtree, Taufa Funaki, AJ Lam
Force (1-15): Angus Wagner, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Felix Kalapu, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells (c), Tim Anstee, Rahboni Vosayaco, Gareth Simpson, Bryce Hegarty, Toni Pulu, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Zach Kibirge, Chase Tiatia
Replacements: Tom Horton, Marley Pearce, Siosifa Amone, Ryan McCauley, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
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Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.