Preview: Blues v Reds

History will be made when the Blues take on the Reds in Apia on Friday in what will be the first ever Super Rugby fixture in Samoa.

The clash between two former Super Rugby champions takes place in the same week as Samoa’s 55th Anniversary of Independence celebrations.

So, although both sides have been battling in their respective conferences, a big crowd is expected at this match as it will also be the first Super Rugby match in Samoa, and the first major game under lights at Apia Park.

The Blues, who are hosting this clash, are unbeaten in their last two matches against the Reds  – A win and a draw – this after enduring their worst losing streak against the Brisbane-based outfit immediately before that run (four consecutive defeats).

The men from Auckland have won their last 11 designated home games against sides from outside of New Zealand, including six wins against Australian opposition in that run.

The Reds won their last away game and now have the opportunity to win consecutive away matches for the first time since winning three on the bounce in 2013, a run that included two wins against New Zealand opposition.

The Queenslanders have scored four or more tries in four of their last five matches, more than they had done in their previous 24 games (three times).

Blues head coach Tana Umaga highlighted the importance of this clash to his side and said his charges  are determined to deliver a good performance.

“We know this is a special game and a special occasion for the Blues to bring a home game to Samoa,” said Blues coach Tana Umaga.

“We have a significant number of our club who have heritage in Samoa, including myself, and it is a privilege for so many of our team to return home to play in front of friends and family.”

He expects a tough challenge from the Reds but wants his side to build on last weekend’s effort against the Chiefs when they were unlucky to draw 16-16 in Auckland.

“It is important for us to respect this game in Samoa with a strong performance,” added Umaga.

“We have two games left in the Super Rugby season and we desperately want to continue our progression.

“Also the injuries to some of our regular starters have given us the chance to play some of our exciting young players who have earned their opportunities.”

The last time the teams met: These sides faced each other in a Round 4 clash in Brisbane last year and drew 25-25. Ihaia West kicked a penalty in extra time to secure the result for the Blues and also deny the Reds their first win of the season. West, Bryn Hall and Matt McGahan also scored tries for the Blues and Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi and Jake McIntyre crossed the whitewash for the Reds.

Players to watch: With All Black star Sonny Bill Williams sidelined through injury, TJ Faiane gets a chance to start at inside centre. The former New Zealand U20 representative is no stranger to the run-on side though as he played there earlier this season and he will be expected to help fly-half Piers Francis in providing attacking direction with his impressive skill-set.

Reds hooker Andrew Ready makes his first appearance for the men from Brisbane since Round 8 and has big boots to fill as he takes the place of Wallabies captain Stephen Moore, who is being rested. Ready will be expected to lead the Reds’ forward charge and his presence will bring great physicality to his side’s cause.

Team news: Blues head coach Tana Umaga has included six All Blacks in his squad for this historic clash in the Samoan capital. The All Blacks on show include lock Patrick Tuipulotu, the in-form Steven Luatua, captain James Parsons, rising-star Rieko Ioane, and exciting midfielder Rene Ranger, while prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi will come off the bench. The Blues welcome back two key experienced players in Ranger and loose forward/lock Jimmy Tupou. Ranger, the six-test All Black, missed last year with an ACL injury and his return this season has been cut short with a serious ankle injury. Meanwhile, Tupou was a key part of the side both on and off the field before a hamstring injury sidelined him for half of the season. Sione Mafileo and a returning Alex Hodgman have been rewarded for their excellent form against the Chiefs last week with starts in the front row. Youthful Northland pivot Sam Nock makes his first start at scrum-half to spark a back-line where in-form Rieko Ioane – with nine tries this year – forms a dangerous back three with exciting runners Melani Nanai and Declan O’Donnell. There is star quality on the bench led by All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi, the highly impressive Akira Ioane, and exciting first-five Stephen Perofeta.

Reds head coach Nick Stiles has made four changes to his starting line-up for this fixture. The bulk of the changes come in the forwards, with Stiles reworking the tight five. Hooker Andrew Ready returns to the matchday 23 for the first time since Round 8, taking the number two jersey in place of regular starter Stephen Moore, who has been rested for this match. Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou has earned his second start of the year, replacing Sam Talakai, who shifts to the bench. Izack Rodda is back in the starting side for the first time since Round 5 to form an exciting lock partnership with Lukhan Tui, who was yesterday announced as a potential debutant in the Wallabies squad for the June Test series. Stiles has opted for just the one change in the starting back-line, with James Tuttle picked ahead of Nick Frisby, who returns to the reserves.

Form: The Blues are on a two-match winless streak after last weekend’s draw with the Chiefs and a loss to the Stormers in Round 13. Prior to that, they beat the Brumbies, Waratahs and Cheetahs.

The Reds lost to the Western Force in Perth last weekend after having a bye in Round 13. They beat the Rebels in Brisbane in Round 12 but before that, they suffered successive defeats to the Waratahs and the Chiefs.

Previous results:

2016: The teams drew 25-25 in Brisbane
2014: Blues won 44-14 in Auckland
2013: Reds won 12-11 in Brisbane
2012: Reds won 23-11 in Auckland
2011: Reds won 30-13 in Brisbane
2011: Reds won 37-31 in Brisbane
2010: Blues won 27-18 in Brisbane
2009: Blues won 31-24 in North Harbour

Prediction: Like all the previous matches between New Zealand and Australian sides in this year’s tournament, this one will go to the Kiwi side. Blues to win by eight points!

The teams:

Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Declan O’Donnell, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Kara Pryor, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Stephen Perofeta, 23 Jordan Trainor

Reds: 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi (c), 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 George Smith, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Lukhan Tui, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 Sef Fa’agase
Replacements: 16 Alex Maf, 17 Kirwan Sanday, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Kane Douglas, 20 Adam Korczyk, 21 Caleb Timu, 22 Nick Frisby, 23 Jake McIntyre

Date: Friday, June 3
Venue: Apia Park, Apia
Kick-off: 20:35 local (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Will Houston (Australia), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)