1. Ben Ake (1)
2. Bradley Slater (6)
3. Marcel Renata (75)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) (125)
5. Sam Darry (42)
6. Anton Segner (47)
7. Dalton Papali’i (104)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (85)
9. Finlay Christie (77)
10. Beauden Barrett (50)
11. Cole Forbes (36)
12. Pita Ahki (22)
13. AJ Lam (67)
14. Kade Banks (2)
15. Zarn Sullivan (50)

Reserves: 16. James Mullan (11), 17. Mason Tupaea (17), 18. Sam Matenga (7), 19. Josh Beehre (36), 20. Torian Barnes (8), 21. Taufa Funaki (40), 22. Stephen Perofeta (75), 23. Xavi Taele (14)

Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Caleb Clarke (calf), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (bicep), Jordan Lay (concussion), Laghlan McWhannell (concussion), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (calf), Malachi Wrampling (hamstring)

Also judging by jersey colours, we might see Melvin and Banks in the 23

Half right

Dalton went off injured last week. Maybe he just wasn't ready to train yet

Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Nick Bloomfield, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Treyvon Pritchard

Pleased to see Banks get a go.

Big game for Ben Ake. Playing for a contract?

@Tim said in Blues v Reds:

Big game for Ben Ake. Playing for a contract?

They must like him if they're giving him a start this early into his Super career.

@African-Monkey said in Blues v Reds:

@Tim said in Blues v Reds:

Big game for Ben Ake. Playing for a contract?

They must like him if they're giving him a start this early into his Super career.

Some promising signs last week I thought considering how long he was out of the game with injury.

Was looking through some old gifs I made years ago and found this.

A young Kaino murdering a Reds player.

Joe Schmidt just walked past me as a fan heading up to his seat

And Neil Barnes as well

No pressure Blues, but don't be the only ones to lose to the Aussies.

@Crazy-Horse said in Blues v Reds:

No pressure Blues, but don't be the only ones to lose to the Aussies.

Blues typically struggle in this match up

@SouthernMann said in Blues v Reds:

Joe Schmidt just walked past me as a fan heading up to his seat

was he wearing red, blue, black, or green and gold?

Yes Zarn!

Class from Zarn, big clearance then very well taken try

@nostrildamus said in Blues v Reds:

@SouthernMann said in Blues v Reds:

Joe Schmidt just walked past me as a fan heading up to his seat

was he wearing red, blue, black, or green and gold?

A cap and a flannel shirt from from memory

Good to see BB taking it to the line and draw the defence hiving more space to Zarn, who still had some work

nice try but weak defense

Sullivan has a faster pass than Christie...

That all came from a garbage Beauden clearance

Thought Segner was unlucky on the turnover.

Christie.....

Barrett’s clearing kicks are appalling. Can’t someone have a word with him? And Christie seems to operate in slowmo

@His-Bobness said in Blues v Reds:

Barrett’s clearing kicks are appalling. Can’t someone have a word with him? And Christie seems to operate in slowmo

This sums up Blues rugby since about 2018 except when Beauden is on sabbatical or Christie is injured

What a pass from Darry

Put Darry at first five for the blues.

@Bones said in Blues v Reds:

Put Darry at first five for the blues.

That might as well be Darry at 10, Tarry (Christie) at 9.

How about Zarn's new barnet, @jet?

AB fullback right there.

Spidercam got in the way

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

Spidercam got in the way

Christie of all people with the highest kick of the weekend.

@Victor-Meldrew said in Blues v Reds:

Sullivan has a faster pass than Christie...

A paraplegic thalidomide kid has a faster pass. He take far too long, letting the defence set. Then his ruck clearance he pulls the ball out out of the ruck and fucks around - a smarter opposition would've smashed him and turned the ball over. He's fucking useless.

Someone paint those boots black.

Zarn is on fire

That's a good pass to a player taking a good line. Reds with no answers to that movement.

Sullivan is coming into form. Good to see him a run without injuries.

@KiwiMurph said in Blues v Reds:

Zarn is on fire

Very similar to young Jordie I reckon.

2 try assists to Barrett putting Zarn in space.

Can't remember who was saying that's something he cant do.

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

2 try assists to Barrett putting Zarn in space.

Can't remember who was saying that's something he cant do.

Can't and doesn't are two different things.

@Bones said in Blues v Reds:

@Jnr said in Blues v Reds:

2 try assists to Barrett putting Zarn in space.

Can't remember who was saying that's something he cant do.

Can't and doesn't are two different things.

Based on today, can and does

For what it's worth

That rule sucks

If you charge down from the field of play and it goes dead you should get more reward