There is no space for code-hopping star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in the Blues’ matchday 23 for their Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final against the Waratahs at Eden Park on Friday.
Tuivasa-Sheck has struggled to find his feet this season and head coach Leon MacDonald has opted to leave him out with Harry Plummer being preferred on the bench.
Strong side
In the starting line-up, Dalton Papalii captains the team from the side of the scrum alongside Hoskins Sotutu and Akira Ioane in a blockbuster back-row.
Tom Robinson is named in the second-row with James Tucker whilst prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is joined by Ricky Riccitelli and Nepo Laulala in the front-row.
Veteran superstar, Beauden Barrett returns from injury to start at fly-half alongside scrum-half Finlay Christie in the half-back pairing.
Bryce Heem and the dynamic Rieko Ioane partner in the midfield with full-back Zarn Sullivan and wings Mark Telea and AJ Lam completing the back-three.
On the pine, hooker Kurt Eklund is in line to win his 50th cap and is joined by Jordan Lay and Mark Renata as front-row options. Cameron Suafoa and the talented Anton Segner are the other forward replacements.
Scrum-half Sam Nock is joined by Plummer and All Black Stephen Perofeta as backline substitutions.
Looking for a big effort
MacDonald said the side has been hard at work for the clash and is looking to put in a big performance.
“We were in early this week to get clarity for what we want to achieve against the Waratahs,” said MacDonald.
“What’s happened in the regular season means nothing on Friday night. Knockout footy brings a special kind of intensity, it’s where we learn about players under pressure and we’re looking forward to putting on a performance for our home fans, our friends and families.”
The coach also expects a backlash from the Waratahs after their final-round loss to Moana Pasifika last weekend.
“You never want to face a team after a loss, they will be hurting and out to spoil our party at Eden Park,” he said. “We’ve seen when they put it together, they’re a very dangerous outfit so we need to show up on Friday night prepared for a battle.”
Meanwhile, Papalii simplified the situation and believes the team is ready to stand up and produce.
“It’s a simple equation in front of us – win and we advance. That’s all we want from this match and all we expect of ourselves,” he said. “Finals footy brings out a different beast, you play for these big matches and big moments and the team are ready to stand up.”
The line-up
Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Bryce Heem, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Fin Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 James Tucker, 4 Tom Robinson, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tuungafasi
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Jordan Lay, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Cameron Suafoa, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Stephen Perofeta
Date: Friday, June 9
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Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran (New Zealand), Jackson Henshaw (New Zealand)
TMO: TBC