Super Rugby Pacific: Patrick Tuipulotu replaces suspended Dalton Papalii as Blues captain against Reds

David Skippers 17 May 2023 6:35 AM

All Blacks second-row Patrick Tuipulotu will take over the Blues’ captaincy from the suspended Dalton Papalii for the Super Rugby Pacific encounter against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

Papalii is serving a three-week suspension after he was red-carded during the Blues’ recent defeat to the Crusaders in Christchurch for a dangerous hit on Richie Mo’unga.

New-look Blues line-up

A reshuffled Blues side will make the journey across the Tasman Sea to take on the Reds as several players are taking a break due to All Blacks rest protocols.

In the forwards, Jordan Lay (loosehead prop), Cameron Suafoa (lock) and Akira Ioane (blindside flank) return to the run-on side while in the backline Sam Nock starts at scrum-half with Bryce Heem getting the nod at outside centre and AJ Lam on the left wing.

Blues boss Leon MacDonald said despite a few alterations, most of the team have already seen big minutes during this Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

“The likes of Beauden and Harry have been developing their combination well over recent weeks and it’s good to have two big talkers and game drivers out there on the park directing us around.”

“These next three games are crucial, we’re sitting just outside that top four so if we want to be playing at home in the playoffs we need to go on a little run of wins, starting with the Reds on Friday night.”

MacDonald was pragmatic about losing Papalii for the next three matches of the season.

“Dalts is obviously a big loss for us, he’s a big game player and a leader in the team. We are lucky to have a battery of excellent loose forwards to call on to help ease the disruption and in Patty we have an experienced campaigner who’s no stranger to the captaincy.”

Stand-in skipper Tuipulotu said his side have previewed the Reds and are well aware of the dangers they possess throughout their ranks.

“We saw just last week how good they can be by knocking over the Chiefs at home,” he said. “This is going to be a stern test for the boys, but I feel we have the team who can get the job done on Friday.

“It’s a quick turnaround for us so it will be good to get over to Brisbane, get settled, and get a training in before we look to inject some momentum into our campaign before two games at Eden Park to round out the regular season.”

Exciting second-row partnership

Cameron Suafoa packs down alongside Tuipulotu in the engine room for this encounter with both players up for the task against a strong opposing lineout.

“Cam and I have been chatting this week and working out where we think we can attack their ball,” added Tuipulotu. “The stats show they have the strongest lineout in the competition, and it will no doubt be an area they’ll look to utilise.

“For us it’s about being precise, disciplined and clear in what we want to achieve at lineout time.”

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Bryce Heem, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 AJ Lam, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Adrian Choat, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Cameron Suafoa, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Jordan Lay
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 Nepo Laulala/James Lay, 19 James Tucker, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23 Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

Date: Friday, May 19
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: 19:35 local (10:35 BST, 09:35 GMT)
Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: tbc

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