Moana Pasifika v Blues
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BLUES EXCITED TO UNLEASH YOUNG TALENT IN FIRST MOANA PASIFIKA CLASH — Blues Rugby
The depth of the Blues personnel, further affected by recent illness, will be tested when they meet Moana Pasifika in the first of two clashes, at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday. With both teams facing three games in eight days as they look to make-up lost games earlier in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific
The Blues team to play Moana Pasifika on Tuesday at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland is (Blues caps in brackets):
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Alex Hodgman (45)
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Ricky Riccitelli (3)
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Nepo Laulala (16)
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Luke Romano (3)
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Sam Darry (9)
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Taine Plumtree (2)
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Adrian Choat (8)
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Anton Segner (1)
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Taufa Funaki (2)
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Stephen Perofeta (35)
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AJ Lam (10)
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Tanielu Tele’a (15)
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Tamati Tua (1)
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Mark Telea (29)
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Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens (2)
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Soane Vikena (7)
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Josh Fusitua (0)
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Karl Tu’inukuafe (33)
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Cameron Suafoa (0)
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Vaiolini Ekuasi (0)
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Finlay Christie (21)
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Corey Evans (1)
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Jock McKenzie (0)
Not considered: Akira Ioane, Harry Plummer, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Beauden Barrett, Josh Goodhue.
The depth of the Blues personnel, further affected by recent illness, will be tested when they meet Moana Pasifika in the first of two clashes, at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday.
With both teams facing three games in eight days as they look to make-up lost games earlier in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, the Blues have dug deep into their emerging tyros.
“It is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity,” said Blues head coach, Leon MacDonald. “The situation is simple. You can’t play your most experienced players three times in eight days. It may not by ideal but we just get on with it.
“The exciting thing for me is that we get the opportunity to give valuable game time for some players who have not seen many minutes, and more than that, we have the chance to provide opportunity for some of our really bright young players who have come through the Blues development system.
“Both teams have a number of players who have emerged through the Blues Under-18 and Under-20 programmes. We are taking the positive here and really looking forward to it.”
The Blues starting line-up in the win over the Highlanders on Saturday had 531 caps for the club while the team to start on Tuesday night has 154, with 12 players with three Blues caps or less including four who will be on debut.
There is an experienced look to the front five with All Blacks Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala and Luke Romano included, with the veteran lock from Canterbury to wear the captain’s armband.
In the backs the in-form Stephen Perofeta will anchor the backline but around him is a group of young prospects.
There is excitement in the loose forward trio that comprises Taine Plumtree, Adrian Choat and Anton Segner, while the backline will see Tanielu Tel’ea and Tamati Tua in the midfield with some exciting flyers on the outsides in star winger Mark Telea, AJ Lam and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepens.
The reserves have some experience in All Blacks Finlay Christie and Karl Tu’inukuafe, making his first appearance for the season. It also a quartet of first-five/fullback Jock McKenzie, midfielder Corey Evans, loose forward Ekuasi Vaiolini and prop Josh Fusitua who were all part of the Blues Under-20s.
The remainder of the squad will have their sights set on preparation for Saturday’s second game against their cross-city rivals, with full crowds to be welcomed back to Eden Park. Tickets are now on sale for as little as $20 for an adult General Admission ticket which includes up to four children free.
Trains and event-buses are incorporated in the price of a pre-purchased ticket.
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Abraham Pole (debut)
Luteru Tolai
Joe ‘Apikotoa
Michael Curry (debut)
Xavier Cowley-Tuioti (debut)
Penitoa Finau (debut)
Alamanda Motuga
Jack Lam (C)
Ereatara Enari (VC)
Lincoln McClutchie
Anzelo Tuitavuki (debut)
Henry Taefu
Fine Inisi
Tomasi Alosio (debut)
D’Angelo Leuila (debut)
Ray Niuia
Suetena Asomua (debut)
Chris Apoua (debut)
Alex McRobbie
Josh Kaifa
Manu Paea
Solomone Kata (debut)
Lolagi Visinia (debut)
Moana Pasifika team named for home game against Blues
Moana Pasifika has named a new look side for Tuesday’s rescheduled Round 1 DHL Super Rugby Pacific match against the Blues. With a four-day turnaround from their historic win against the Hurricanes on Friday night, Head Coach Aaron Mauger has elected to use the full depth of his squad.
“This is a great opportunity for our players making their debut to put their hand up. We have a lot of trust in our squad and these men have all been working incredibly hard,” says Mauger.
There are eleven players set to make their Moana Pasifika debut in the match day 23. Manu Samoa stalwart Jack Lam will become the first Samoan to Captain Moana Pasifika and will wear the number eight jersey. Experienced halfback Ereatara Enari will be Vice Captain for this fixture.
After playing for the Crusaders in Moana Pasifika’s first match, prop Abraham Pole will make his debut for Moana Pasifika as a permanent replacement for the season. Luteru Tolai returns to the starting line-up at hooker and Joe ‘Apikotoa gets his first start.
Ta$man Mako lock Michael Curry and North Harbour’s Xavier Cowley-Tuioti are aligned to make their Super Rugby debut.
After sustaining an injury in the pre-season, Penitoa Finau has made a full recovery and will start at blindside flanker. Alamanda Motuga also returns to the team after sustaining a wrist injury against the Crusaders in Round 3.
Lincoln McClutchie starts at first five with Henry Taefu backing up his performance against the Hurricanes in the number 12 jersey. The ever-impressive Fine Inisi gets his first start for Moana Pasifika at centre.
There are debutants across the entire back three with Hawke’s Bay Magpies winger Anzelo Tuitavuki playing on the left wing and former Manu Samoa 7’s captain Tomasi Alosio on the right. Manu Samoa and championship-winning Waikato NPC utility back D’Angelo Leuila will direct the team from fullback.
On the bench, Counties Manukau Steelers prop and former Southland Stags prop Chris Apoua are hoping to gain their first cap for Moana Pasifika.
Former Blues and Hurricanes fullback Lolagi Visinia will debut from the bench after returning from a foot injury.
The much-anticipated return of former Warrior Solomone Kata to Mount Smart Stadium will come from the bench. Mauger is excited for the midfielder to get on the field after he sustained an injury in their pre-season game against the Gallagher Chiefs.
Coach Aaron Mauger says of Kata’s of preparation for the game “Since we have come back from Queenstown, his level of preparation and training intensity has been outstanding, and he is demanding that of those around him. He is in a good space and ready to go.”
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Akira Ioane, Harry Plummer, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Beauden Barrett, Josh Goodhue, Dalton Papalii, Rieko Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu were all not considered because of injury.
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@tim said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
The much-anticipated return of former Warrior Solomone Kata
I'm anticipating this so much it's almost making switch my allegiance to the Blues in this match.
Nice of Mauger to reward Toala's last minute try with dropping him out of the squad completely.
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@nepia said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
@tim said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
The much-anticipated return of former Warrior Solomone Kata
I'm anticipating this so much it's almost making switch my allegiance to the Blues in this match.
Nice of Mauger to reward Toala's last minute try with dropping him out of the squad completely.
Might be resting for a WE start when the A teams meet.
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@winger He is quite used to not making the matchday 23. Afterall it was one of the major lessons he learnt that at the Hurricanes. Speaking of Hurricanes management, wonder how many spoons of sugar they will have to put in their cup of team at smoko today to sweeten it up a but after Mr. Toala stuffed one right up them?
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@fakatavafuture said in Moana Pasifika v Blues:
preseason nonwithstanding as that's happened fair bit recently freedom , coombes-fabling ect
Another preseason one is Curry. He played for the Blues in the preseason and is now making his debut for Pasifika
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Anyone think Segner will go well at 8 or just shoehorned in?
I hope I haven't put the mocker on him, but Perofeta should be the big difference tonight.
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Moana Pasifika team named for home game against Blues – Moana Pasifika
