I guess that we will see a bit of rotation this week. 9 and 10 as well?
Blues
Match thread
Moana Pasifika 2026
@Tim said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
I guess that we will see a bit of rotation this week. 9 and 10 as well?
Cotter was saying two weeks for Perofeta, they are being super cautious.
As for 9, let’s rotate Nock out of the squad.
I assume Clarke won't play. Give his ribs time to recover
With the injuries at prop we need to get more game time into a few players. Maybe swap the bench and starters around this week?
We also need to look at more loose forward options. Either Papali'i or Sotutu to not play?
3.35pm (NZT), Sunday 15 March at Eden Park
- Ofa Tu’ungafasi (157)
- Kurt Eklund (78)
- Marcel Renata (70)
- Josh Beehre (31)
- Sam Darry (37)
- Anton Segner (42)
- Dalton Papali’i (c) (101)
- Hoskins Sotutu (83)
- Sam Nock (84)
- Beauden Barrett (45)
- Caleb Clarke (79)
- Xavi Taele (9)
- AJ Lam (62)
- Codemeru Vai (4)
- Cole Forbes (33)
Reserves: 16. James Mullan (7), 17. Mason Tupaea (12), 18. Sam Matenga (2), 19. Laghlan McWhannell (26), 20. Malachi Wrampling (debut), 21. Taufa Funaki (35), 22. Pita Ahki (17), 23. Zarn Sullivan (46)
Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (elbow), Jordan Lay (concussion), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Bradley Slater (abdomen), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Flyn Yates (neck)
@Duluth said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
Less changes than I was expecting.
Cotter doesnt tend to rotate his squad very much
@Duluth said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
Good to see Wrampling get a chance
def keen to see him getting a crack at this level.
Tito Tuipulotu, Millennium Sanerivi, Atu Moli, Tom Savage, Allan Craig, Miracle Faiilagi (c), Semisi Paea, Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, Augustine Pulu, Patrick Pellegrini, Glen Vaihu, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Tevita Latu, Tevita Ofa, William Havili
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Monu Moli, Lolani Faleiva, Veikoso Poloniati, Dominic Ropeti, Joel Lam, Ngani Laumape, Tuna Tuitama
The 30-year-old joined Moana Pasifika as an injury replacement and brings a wealth of experience in Super Rugby and on the international stage.
@Duluth said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
Less changes than I was expecting.
Good to see Wrampling get a chance
Same. Look forward to seeing Taele get a start. I feel like we have the ability to use the ball better with him at 12. Ahki is a more direct option, a typical European 12.
@African-Monkey said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
Look forward to seeing Taele get a start. I feel like we have the ability to use the ball better with him at 12. Ahki is a more direct option, a typical European 12.
Yeah it has a better balance
Ahki/Lam hasn't quite worked. Ahki/Gordon was very good in the preseason game.. I think Pita would go better with other players at 13 (Cameron, Evans, Gordon)
Taele probably covering 10?
We might need to give him time in that position soon. I know they are saying Perofeta's calf isn't serious and it's just a precaution. However a not serious calf injury meant he barely played any rugby last year
@African-Monkey said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
@Duluth said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2026:
Less changes than I was expecting.
Good to see Wrampling get a chance
Same. Look forward to seeing Taele get a start. I feel like we have the ability to use the ball better with him at 12. Ahki is a more direct option, a typical European 12.
I keen to see a bit of this kid too. As Duluth rightly says, he may go better with Lam. Still even as a neutral real keen to see how vai goes again this week.
Spicy!
Both are true:
- I feel sorry for the Blues as they have multiple pro sports teams to compete with at their city, including one in teh same damn competition
- It's a dick move to bar MP from playing inside their catchment area
NZR have set up an ethno-team and then not really supported it. WIth no home, how the hell do you get fans. 5 games at NH seems way too few.