The Blues face the Highlanders in a New Zealand derby match, with the Blues struggling to put together consistent performances and the Highlanders trying to keep up with the Chiefs and Crusaders in the conference.
The Blues have made wholesale changes to their team, which still excludes Keven Mealamu, with All Blacks Ali Williams, Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu benched for this game. These changes will only further disrupt an already struggling team, and I cannot see there being any flow or continuity.
The Highlanders team is still to be announced at time of writing, but are a few points off the pace of the Crusaders, and will not be able to catch them this weekend as they have a bye, but will be in the running for that sixth spot on the overall log if they manage to pick up wins over the next few weekends.
Blues: 1. Tony Woodcock, 2. James Parsons, 3. Tevita Mailau, 4. Liaki Moli, 5. Filo Paulo, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Luke Braid (c) / Daniel Braid, 8. Peter Saili / Luke Braid, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. Sherwin Stowers, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13. Francis Saili, 14. David Raikuna, 15. Hadleigh Parkes.
Replacements: 16. Tom McCartney, 17. Angus Ta’avao, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Daniel Braid / Peter Saili / Dan Pryor, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Ma’a Nonu, 22. Lachie Munro.
Highlanders: To follow.
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Ben Skeen
TMO : Bryce Lawrence
Tweet
Come on blues.you cann do it
Blues 3 – 3 Landers
23 minutes
Landers try!
Ellison scores.
Blues 3 – 8 Landers
26 minutes
Blues 6 – 15 Landers
Half Time
Come on Highlanders, give me SB points