Blues Named For Must-Win Against Waratahs

The Blues have named a powerful team for their must-win clash with the NSW Waratahs at Eden Park on Saturday.

In their final game of the regular season, the Blues need to secure a win in front of their home fans to keep their finals hopes alive.

After serving a three-game suspension for a dangerous tackle, Mark Tele’a injects his energy back into the side with a start on the right wing.

With the return of Tele’a, AJ Lam shifts back to second five while Finlay Christie earns the starting halfback spot.

In the forwards, Anton Segner has been cleared after a heavy collision in Round 14, with the 23-year-old back into the starting XV at blindside flanker.

There are several changes to the reserves with prop Jordan Lay and halfback Sam Nock coming into the match day 23, alongside Adrian Choat who returns from a shoulder injury.

Saturday’s game will also be a celebration of club rugby, with players wearing their club socks. Fans will be allowed onto the turf after the match to get autographs and photos with players.

Alongside the action, Eden Park will come alive prior to kickoff with the first-ever Waiata Singalong, a series of activations led by Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM, designed to bring people together through the power of waiata.

Blues Team for Round 16
4.35pm, Saturday 31 May vs NSW Waratahs

1. Joshua Fusitu’a (34)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (48)
3. Marcel Renata (63)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (121)
5. Laghlan McWhannell (20)
6. Anton Segner (34)
7. Dalton Papali’i (94)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (75)
9. Finlay Christie (65)
10. Beauden Barrett (41)
11. Caleb Clarke (72)
12. AJ Lam (55)
13. Rieko Ioane (125)
14. Mark Tele’a (77)
15. Corey Evans (26)

Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (72), 17. Jordan Lay (24), 18. Angus Ta’avao (79), 19. Josh Beehre (24), 20. Adrian Choat (52), 21. Sam Nock (79), 22. Harry Plummer (86), 23. Cole Forbes (27)

Players not considered due to injury: Cam Christie (thumb), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical, season), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)

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