Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2022
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Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Samiuela Moli
Sekope Kepu (C)
Veikoso Poloniati
Michael Curry
Sione Tu’ipulotu
Solomone Funaki
Henry Time-Stowers
Ereatara Enari
Christian Leali’ifano
Anzelo Tuitavuki
Solomone Kata
Fine Inisi
Timoci Tavatavanawai (debut)
William Havili
Luteru Tolai
Abraham Pole
Chris Apoua
Alex McRobbie
Alamanda Motuga
Dwayne Polataivao
Lincoln McClutchie
Tomasi AlosioMoana Pasifika Team Named For Blues, Eden Park
Moana Pasifika have named their team to play the rematch against the Blues on Saturday. Round 7 of DHL Super Rugby Pacific sees the two Auckland-based teams play each other twice in the space of four days. With the short turnaround, Head Coach Aaron Mauger has named a very different side to the team who went down on Tuesday 32-19.Sekope Kepu returns to Captain the side and is joined in the front row by Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Samiuela Moli at hooker. Veikoso Poloniati and Michael Curry will combine at lock to round out the tight five. Curry started Tuesday’s match and earnt his start on Saturday after a tremendous performance on debut.
The same starting loose forward trio from Moana Pasifika’s historic 24-19 win over the Hurricanes will return to the field with Tu’ipulotu, Funaki and Time-Stowers set to play at Eden Park.
Ereatara Enari will combine with Christian Leali’ifano in a new 9 & 10 combination which boasts plety of Super Rugby experience.
An unchanged starting midfield combination in Solomone Kata and Fine Inisi will look to build on their fine form from Tuesday’s game.
Playing three games in eight days has seen several debutants take the field and Ta$man Mako flyer Timoci Tavatavanawai will make his long awaited debut on the right wing. Anzelo Tuitavuki keeps his left wing spot from Tuesday and William Havili returns to fullback.
There is plenty of impact and firepower to come from the bench with the likes of experienced Manu Samoa halfback Dwayne Polataivao and Tuesday night try scorers Luteru Tolai, Abraham Pole and Tomasi Alosio.
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MacDonald confirmed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was an unlikely starter for Saturday as he works back from his shoulder injury, and with Beauden Barrett out in concussion protocols and Josh Goodhue, Dalton Papalii, Rieko Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu all nursing blows from the trip to Dunedin, he has a bit to think about on the selection front.
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@tim promising he brackets Goodhue as an injury rather than Concussion protocols.
But on Beaudy, yikes, poor buggar, expect it must be a shit issue to come back from, as it would likely make you a bit tentative going into contact, which is a bad thing in itself!
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Predictions for Saturday’s team?
15 Sullivan
14 Lam/Kneepkens
13 Heem
12 Evans
11 Clarke
10 Perofeta
9 Christie8 Segner
7 Choat
6 Suafoa
5 Darry
4 Tucker
3 Tuungufasi
2 Eklund
1 Lay16 Vikena
17 Tu'inukuafe
18 Renata
19 Romano/Plumtree
20 Plumtree/Ekuasi
21 Nock/Funaki
22 Tele’a
23 McKenzie/Kneepkens/Lam/Telea -
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@taniwharugby Christie. Romano if he’s replaced.
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@tim said in Blues vs Moana Pasifika 2022:
I'm guessing that some of the midfielders such as Aumua are injured.
Also weird that Visinia is not getting a run on the bench. Fomai must also be injured as well for Tuitavuki to be starting again.
Only 4 Shield Snorters in the team this week, I can't abide this.
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YOUNG TRIO EARN START AS BLUES RETURN HOME TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN — Blues Rugby
A trio of tyros have earned selection alongside proven regulars in the Blues side who return home to Eden Park to host Moana Pasifika on Saturday. Midfielder Corey Evans along with loose forwards Cameron Suafoa and Anton Segner, with just five caps between them, have earned a start in the return cl
Players not considered: Beauden Barrett, Josh Goodhue, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, Nepo Laulala, Harry Plummer, Hoskins Sotutu, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sam Darry.
Moana Pasifika Team Named For Blues, Eden Park – Moana Pasifika
