Blues v Force
Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 2 May
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport
The Blues need to win all four of their remaining games to make the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs, a task that starts tonight against the Force. To say this season has been disappointing so far for the defending champions is a severe understatement, however if they can turn things around now the Blues can make an unlikely title defence - especially since they were so poor in their loss to the Reds last weekend.
Even though the Force were handily beaten last weekend by the Chiefs, they are a much more powerful threat than usual thanks to an influx of players this season from the defunct Melbourne Rebels.
Ofa Tu’ungafasi dives for the try line. Photo: Photosport
Team lists
Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. AJ Lam, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Stephen Perofeta
Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Cam Christie, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Sam Nock, 23. Corey Evans
Force: 1. Ryan Coxon, 2. Nic Dolly, 3. Tom Robertson, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Mac Grealy, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Bayley Kuenzle, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Kurtley Beale
Bench: 16. Albert Alcock, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Josh Smith, 19. Josh Thompson, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nic White, 22. Max Burey, 23. George Poolman
Blues selections
Xavi Taele of the Blues at the Super Rugby Pacific at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. Photo: Jeremy Ward / Photosport
Finlay Christie, Zarn Sullivan and Mark Tele'a are all missing from the side that lost to the Reds, but at least Tele'a can blame suspension for his omission. He's out for three weeks after a horrible tackle on Tim Ryan, but the other two have simply paid the price for poor performances. Taufa Funaki takes over at halfback and AJ Lam moves to the wing, with Xavi Taele coming in at second five.
Force selections
Photo: AFP
It's a warm welcome back for Kurtley Beale, the former Wallaby pulling on the boots for the first time this season after an injury layoff. Jeremy Williams returns to the starting side after being a late withdrawal last weekend, while Reed Prinsep is elevated to the starting side. Former All Black Atu Moli comes onto the bench.
Key stats
Harry Potter during the Chiefs v Force, Super Rugby Pacific match, Blake Park, Tauranga. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress
The Blues are undefeated in their last 12 Super Rugby games against Western Force (W11 D1) and have won their last nine in a row against them. The only time the Force have ever beaten the Blues was in 2008.
The Force have lost 22 of their last 23 Super Rugby Pacific games in New Zealand including their last nine in a row, conceding 55+ points in each of their last three games.
Force winger Harry Potter has scored six tries in his last six games in Super Rugby Pacific. He's never played against the Blues, but he has scored four tries in his last four games against New Zealand opponents.
What they're saying
"I just don't think we have that same intensity. I think we've forgotten and it's important we remind ourselves that it's a competition, and one you've got to engage yourself in fully to be competitive." - Blues coach Vern Cotter.
"It's a great opportunity to come to Eden Park and play, it's a privilege to play at the stadium but it's a field, it's grass, it's got white lines. It's important that we can perform at any surface at any time." - Force coach Simon Cron.
The last time they met
Blues 50 - 3 Force
The Blues enjoyed their biggest win of the season with this beatdown at Eden Park, scoring at a regular rate across the 80 minutes despite having rested many of their top lineup. Taufa Funaki was the main beneficiary with two tries and a very assured performance.
What's going to happen
Even though the Blues have been awful, and the Force have been promising, it's hard to see the Western Australians forcing a result after a horrible day of rain in Auckland. If they do, it'll likely be in the fashion that the Brumbies achieved victory earlier this season. It's likely the Blues will go back to their power game, so expect a heavy diet of Hoskins Sotutu with ball in hand.
