Blues v Moana Pasifika
Kick-off: 4:35pm Saturday 12 April
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
The Auckland derby has certainly reached its most exciting chapter yet as Moana Pasifika come in off easily their best run of form ever.
Wins over the Hurricanes, Crusaders and Waratahs, as well as a stirring second half comeback against the Chiefs, have seen Tana Umaga's side become a genuine play-off threat.
Meanwhile, the Blues have struggled to their second win of the season last weekend, overcoming the Hurricanes by one point. However, they will take confidence out of the fight they showed to hang onto their slender lead for the last 15 minutes of the game.
Team lists
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Angus Ta'avao, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Josh Beehre, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Corey Evans
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. PJ Sheck, 19. Cam Christie, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Taufa Funaki, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Stephen Perofeta
Moana Pasifika: 1. Abraham Pole, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Feleti Sae-Ta'ufo'ou, 4. Samuel Slade, 5. Allan Craig, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Melani Matavao, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Pepesana Patafilo, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Kyren Taumoefolau, 15. William Havili
Bench: 16. Sama Malolo, 17. James Lay, 18. Chris Apoua, 19. Tom Savage, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Aisea Halo, 22. Patrick Pellegrini, 23. Fine Inisi
Blues selections
Harry Plummer leaps into the sky. Photo: Photosport
Patrick Tuipulotu is maybe a little lucky to not be suspended for this one, but joins a forward pack unchanged other than Ricky Riccitelli's return at hooker. Harry Plummer comes back onto the bench alongside Taufa Funaki, with Corey Evans keeping his spot at fullback ahead of Stephen Perofeta.
Moana Pasifika selections
Moana Pasifika Miracle Faillagi scores his third try during the Super Rugby Pacific match, Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland. Photo: Michael Thomas/ActionPress
A real surprise by Tana Umaga here with the rotation of Patrick Pellegrini and Jackson Garden-Bachop at first five. Pellegrini has been one of the best players in the competition so far, so maybe this is more of a tactical ploy to utiliise Moana's strengths at the back end of the game. Miracle Faiilagi returns to bolster an already world-class loose forward trio, and Sione Havili-Talitui makes his return from injury on the bench.
Key stats
Moana Pasifika's Patrick Pellegrini. Photo: Martin Hunter/ActionPress
The Blues have won all four of their Super Rugby Pacific matches against Moana Pasifika by an average margin of 20.8 points per game.
Moana Pasifika have won three of their last four Super Rugby Pacific games including their last two in a row, which is the first time they've won consecutive games in the competition. They've scored 40+ points in three of those last four games which is more times than they had done in their entire time in the competition prior.
Patrick Pellegrini has an 86 percent success rate from 28 goal kick attempts this Super Rugby Pacific season, the highest of any player to attempt at least five kicks. His accuracy rises to 91 percent from 11 attempts when Moana Pasifika have been trailing at the time.
What they're saying
"We had a lot of confidence out of last week, it was a tough battle…I think we're pointing in the right direction, and we have a good idea of what Moana will bring." - Blues coach Vern Cotter.
"Confidence is great, it's a local derby which is exicting for the region…we can't get ahead of ourselves. We've talked a lot about winning two games in a row, but that puts a target on your back and now there's expectations." - Moana coach Tana Umaga.
The last time they met
Blues 47 - 8 Moana Pasifika
One ay traffic in an odd game for the Blues, as they find themselves the visiting team at Eden Park for the first time. It didn't really matter in the end as the game was more or less over by halftime, the result saying a great deal about where the two sides were placed at that stage of the season.
What's going to happen
It certainly won't be like last time, that's for sure. The Ardie Savea-led Moana side is much, much better and have made a habit of coming back late in games, as the Waratahs found out the hard way last weekend.
That's why the Blues need to build up a decent lead before they can shift up to top gear, however if Moana can pull out a performance like they did against the Crusaders, we will be in for yet another upset.
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