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Blues
19
Match Complete
Hurricanes
18
| B. Barrett |  | 66 | ||
| 60 |  | N. Punivai | ||
| B. Barrett | | 43 | ||
| B. Barrett |  | 38 | ||
| M. Renata | | 37 | ||
| 35 | | R. Hohepa | ||
| 32 | | R. Hohepa | ||
| 31 | | B. Iose | ||
| B. Barrett | | 26 | ||
| 22 | | R. Hohepa | ||
| B. Barrett | | 17 |
| 1 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Hurricanes have named a settled squad to face the Blues on Saturday (5.05pm AEDT) with just one change from the Waratahs win last week.
Ere Enari comes onto the bench as Jordi Viljoen moves out of the 23.
Head Coach Clark Laidlaw said, “Another consistent selection for us this week, we’re happy with how we played vs the Waratahs last Friday and we have started the week well with our preparation to head up to Auckland and face the reigning champions.”
“The Blues are coming off their bye week and they will have plenty of energy for this Saturday. With quite a few of their guys back from injury it’ll be a good test to see how we go away from home. The competition is tight this season, so every win and every point we can get is going to go a long way to help us push towards those playoffs at the end of the season. We’re excited and looking forward to the challenge this week at Eden Park.”
The Blues welcome back a host of players from injury – but have ruled out prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who will undergo neck surgery, for the rest of the season.
The Blues are hoping All Blacks Beauden Barrett and captain Patrick Tuipulotu come through their return to heavy contact training to enable them to start in Saturday’s encounter.
“The group is putting in the hard work to produce a quality performance. Hopefully they will come through a big week of effort on the training field, and the team can focus on getting our processes right for a positive performance,” said coach Vern Cotter.
“Of course we are aware of our position on the table, but our focus is on our performance.”
The returning players, including Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, AJ Lam, Anton Segner and Adrian Choat, with others to follow in the coming weeks, will allow for a better rotation of squad depth in the second half of the season.
Blues (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Kurt Eklund, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Josh Beehre, Anton Segner, Dalton Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a, Corey Evans
Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Mason Tupaea, Angus Ta’avao, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Sam Nock, Xavi Taele, Stephen Perofeta
Hurricanes (1-15): Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua (co-c), Tyrel Lomax, Caleb Delany, Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brayden Iose, Du’Plessis Kirifi (co-c), Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Riley Hohepa, Kini Naholo, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Ngatungane Punivai, Ruben Love
Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Pasilo Tosi, Will Tucker, Brad Shields, Ereatara Enari, Callum Harkin, Fatafehi Fineanganofo
TMO: Angus Gardner
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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.