Blues go with continuity for Bulls clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Blues head coach Coach Leon MacDonald has retained virtually the same starting line-up for their Super Rugby Round 16 clash against the Bulls in Auckland on Friday.
After an impressive defensive effort in the loss to the competition-leading Crusaders in Christchurch, the Blues have made just one change to their starting XV.
The change in the forwards where centurion James Parsons returns from injury to start at hooker.
The backline remains unchanged for the third straight game.
The resilient 23-year-old No.8 Akira Ioane will make his 32nd straight start, virtually all with 80-minute performances, with All Black Dalton Papalii not recovered 100 percent from a head knock.
“Akira has worked hard on improving his game this year and he has been such a work-horse for us, especially early on when we had injuries with the loose forwards,” said MacDonald. “We have to remember he is still a very young man and we had initially looked to lighten his load and bring him off the bench this week.
“But while Dalton is very close to full fitness, we did not want to take any risks and will keep him back until next week. We know Akira will put in another big effort for us.”
Ioane will link with co-captain Blake Gibson and impressive rookie Tom Robinson in a potent back row.
How it went down when the Bulls last visited the 09
Be there this Friday as we fight for our place in the playoffs 🎟➡️ https://t.co/3h3HMOyrPx#RiseUp #BluesAllDay #BLUvBUL pic.twitter.com/sM6d8CoOHd
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) May 29, 2019
Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Reiko Ioane, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Lua Li, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Otere Black, 23 Tanielu Tele’a.
Date: Friday, May 31
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (09.35 SA time; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Dan Waenga (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
