Rieko Ioane among returning All Blacks for Blues in boost for Scott Robertson
Rieko Ioane in action for Blues against Fijian Drua during 2024 Super Pacific season.
The Blues have been bolstered by the return from injury of All Blacks backline duo Rieko Ioane and Stephen Perofeta for Saturday’s clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Ioane, who has been out of action for the past two weeks with concussion, returns to the run-on side at outside centre while Perofeta will line up at full-back after recovering from a shoulder injury which has kept him on the sidelines since March.
Perofeta was named on the Blues’ bench ahead of last weekend’s victory against the Highlanders in Auckland but withdrew from the squad shortly before kick off.
Patrick Tuipulotu also back in action
Meanwhile, Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu also returns to the matchday squad, after being rested for the Highlanders game, and joins Sam Darry in the second-row.
Other players who are returning to head coach Vern Cotter’s much changed run-on side are Mark Tele’a and Hoskins Sotutu, who are on the right wing and at number eight respectively.
Sotutu’s return means Akira Ioane shifts from the base of the scrum to the blindside flank while Adrian Choat packs down on the openside after wearing the number six jersey last week.
“We’re lucky to have a battery of quality loosies to choose from,” said Cotter. “This week Choaty, Aki and Hoskins have their chance and I have no doubt they will bring plenty of steel to their performance on Saturday.”
There are two more alterations in the backline with AJ Lam shifting from outside centre to the left wing with Taufa Funaki replacing Sam Nock at scrum-half.
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The final change is up front where Angus Ta’avao takes over from Marcel Renata as the starting tighthead prop and he packs down in the front-row alongside Kurt Eklund (hooker) and loosehead prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who signed a contract extension with the Blues earlier this week.
The Blues have opted to rest All Blacks stars Dalton Papali’i and Caleb Clarke for this week’s trip to Christchurch.
With just two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific‘s regular season left, the Blues are setting the pace at the top of the standings and Cotter said nothing changes for his against their arch rivals.
“We simply need to keep improving each week,” he said. “It’s great to welcome back the likes of Rieko and Stevie. They add plenty of calm and experience to our backline.
“We’ve selected a side to go down south and do a job. Wins down in Christchurch are rare for the Blues and we want to make sure we prepare well this week and go down with a focus and determination befitting of the occasion.”
Blues team to face Crusaders
Blues: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Corey Evans, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Adrian Choat, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Ricky Riccitelli, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 PJ Sheck, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Cameron Suafoa, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Cole Forbes, 23 Caleb Tangitau
Date: Saturday, May 25
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin (New Zealand), Fraser Hannon (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)
