Blues team to play Hurricanes
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Blues team to face Hurricanes
Investec Super Rugby Round 9
Saturday April 13
Eden Park
Kick-off 7.35pm
Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan has made two changes to his starting line-up for Saturday’s clash with the Hurricanes at Eden Park (kick-off 7.35pm).
With George Moala suspended for a week for a dangerous high tackle on the Highlanders wing Buxton Popali’i, Rene Ranger shifts out to cover the left wing as Francis Saili is promoted from the bench to start at centre.
“It was a pretty easy decision to make,” Kirwan said of Ranger’s positional switch.
“He’s done it for the team. We felt the way we finished last week was pretty special and I think it’s only going to help his career. He’s been our best centre and he will be our centre in the future but we need him to fill that spot for the week while George is away.
“He’s settled into the position really well and he gives us some more power across the paddock.”
The only other change to the starting XV comes at loosehead prop where Tom McCartney replaces Tim Perry.
“We’re expecting Tom to give us a bit of an injection,” Kirwan said.
“He was a bit annoyed that he wasn’t playing last week so we’ve got some real competition going between Tim and Tom and we’re expecting Tom to stand up and have a big one.”
Kirwan said a win against the Hurricanes on Saturday was crucial heading into the bye next week.
“It’s must-win every week. I keep hearing that from my children on Mondays saying ‘you’ve got to win this week dad’ and that’s just the nature of this competition,” he said.
“When you talk about the conference this is a big one. The Hurricanes have improved, I’d like to think we’ve improved and they’re one point ahead of us on the table so she’s all on.”
The Blues team to face the Hurricanes at Eden Park on Saturday night (kick-off 7.35pm) is:
15. Charles Piutau
14. Frank Halai
13. Francis Saili
12. Jackson Willison
11. Rene Ranger
10. Chris Noakes
9. Piri Weepu
8. Peter Saili
7. Luke Braid
6. Steven Luatua
5. Ali Williams (C)
4. Culum Retallick
3. Angus Ta’avao
2. James Parsons
1. Tom McCartney
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Anthony Boric
19. Brendon O’Connor
20. Jamison Gibson-Park
21. Baden Kerr
22. Albert Nikoro
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