2024 Super Rugby For the Crusaders game on Blues Saturday in Christchurch, the All Blacks Rugby‘ backline combo of Rieko Ioane and Stephen Perofeta have recovered from injury, which is a boost for the Blues.
After missing the previous two weeks of play due to a concussion, Ioane makes his comeback to the run-on side at outside centre. Meanwhile, Perofeta, who has been sidelined since March due to a shoulder ailment, will start at full back.
Prior to the Blues’ triumph against the Highlanders in Auckland last Saturday, Perofeta was listed on the bench; however, he left the team just before the game began.
Super Rugby match info
Event: Blues vs Crusaders
Date: Saturday, May 25
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:05 local (08:05 BST, 07:05 GMT)
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
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After being rested for the Highlanders game, Blu captain Patrick Tuipulotu also makes a comeback to the match-day squad, lining up in the second row with Sam Darry.
Mark Tele’a and Hoskins Sotutu, who are positioned on the right wing and number eight, respectively, are among the other players who are rejoining head coach Vern Cotter’s significantly altered starting lineup.
Due to Sotutu’s comeback, Adrian Choat, who played in the number six jersey the previous week, packs down on the openside while Akira Ioane moves from the base of the scrum to the blindside flank.
We’re fortunate to have a variety of high-quality looseies available, Cotter remarked. This week is Choaty, Aki, and Hoskins’ turn, and I’m sure they’ll give it their all in their performance.
Two other changes have been made to the back-line: Taufa Funaki has taken Sam Nock’s place at scrum-half, while AJ Lam has moved from outside center to left wing.
Blues make a daring attempt to get Beau-den Barrett back to Super Rugby Pacific as soon as possible.
The last change comes up front, where Marcel Renata is replaced by Angus Ta’avao as the starting tight head prop. He packs down in the front row with loose head prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who signed a contract extension with the Blu earlier this week, and Kurt Blunder, the hooker.
For their journey to Christchurch this week, the Blu have decided to rest All Blacks studs Dalton Papali’i and Caleb Clarke.
The Blues are leading the standings in Super Rugby Pacific with just two matches remaining in the regular season, and Cotter stated that nothing changes for them when they play their fiercest opponents.