Blues name strong combination to take on Hurricanes in Wellington

Blues name strong combination to take on Hurricanes in Wellington

Blues coach Vern Cotter has named a strong combination to take on the Hurricanes in Wellington in the third game of Super Rugby Pacific 2025.

The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Champions are chasing their first win of the season after going down 29-21 to the Highlanders last Saturday in an emotionally-charged match at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Coach Cotter said there were improvements in the team’s performance in Dunedin but is looking for a total performance from a similar starting line-up this week.

The only change is injury-related to lock Laghlan McWhannell with a potential debut off the bench for replacement Cam Christie, while the experienced Sam Nock, who made such an impact off the bench last season, is listed in the reserves for potentially his first appearance of the season.

“Last week we had a great start,” said Cotter. “But we need to put in an 80 minute performance.

“We have had two good starts against the Chiefs and the Highlanders but we need to put good things on good things for an entire 80-minutes.

“There was an improved attitude and performance, and we need to continue to work hard every day and continue to show those improvements on the field for 80 minutes.”

Cotter is expecting another physical battle against the Hurricanes.

“They were typically aggressive when we played them in pre-season and I am looking for further improvement in our set phase and collisions to match them.”

The match kicks off at 7.05pm on Saturday.

The Blues team is (Blues caps in brackets):

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (151), 2. Ricky Riccitelli (40), 3. Marcel Renata (55), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (111) ©, 5. Josh Beere (12), 6. Cameron Suafoa (26), 7. Dalton Papali’i (85), 8. Hoskins Sotutu (67); 9. Finlay Christie (56), 10. Harry Plummer (77), 11. Caleb Clarke (66), 12. AJ Lam (45), 13. Rieko Ioane (114), 14. Mark Tele’a (69), 15. Beauden Barrett (32).

Reserves: 16. James Mullan (1), 17. Joshua Fusitu’a (22), 18. Angus Ta’avao (67), 19. Cam Christie (Debut), 20. Anton Segner (25), 21. Sam Nock (73), 22. Corey Evans (16), 23. Cole Forbes (18).

Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), Laghlan McWhannell (cheek); PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Adrian Choat (knee).