Akira Ioane returns to Blues starting line-up

David Skippers

The Blues have named a virtually unchanged side to take on the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final at Eden Park on Saturday.

Coach Leon MacDonald said he is pleased to have a settled look to his team for what is a special occasion, which is expected to attract a substantial crowd to Eden Park.

Only one change to the starting XV

The only change to the starting line-up from last week’s win over the Western Force is that Akira Ioane will start on the blindside flank in place of Tom Robinson, who has succumbed to the concussion he received in that game.

“We have done the hard work in this competition,” said MacDonald. “We learned from the first comp, and we have been more consistent this time. Our defence has been strong, we have been smarter and had more discipline.

“We have thrown away trying to play the miracle ball, and focussed on playing in the right part of the field, off the back of a good set-piece.

“Of course, we want the boys to enjoy this occasion, and continue to play the type of football that has got them here.”

He said the team will be buoyed by the opportunity to play a final in front of a big contingent of their Blues fans and families.

MacDonald said the team are aware of the threat that the Highlanders possess.

“The Highlanders have been outstanding all season. They have excellent set-piece, they are very accurate and they have some dangerous attacking players. It should be a whale of a game,” he added.

The other loss to the Blues squad is that All Black prop Ofa Tuungafasi has not recovered sufficiently and will now undergo surgery to tidy up a lingering issue with his knee.

“It’s sad for Ofa who is our longest serving current player while Tom has led us well this year when Patrick was injured,” added MacDonald. “The boys will be determined to do well for them on Saturday.”

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 AJ Lam

Date: Saturday, June 19
Venue: Eden Park
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Referees: Ben O’Keeffe, Paul Williams
TMO: Brendon Pickerill