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Sport Nation
The Live Sport Bible is here!Injured stars drive Blues standards ahead of high-stakes Crusaders clash
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 5th, 2026 1:15 pm
Blues co-captain Dalton Papali'i | Photo: Photosport
They made be sidelined with injury, but the influence of Blues stars Dalton Papali'i and Beauden Barrett remains a constant presence, as the team prepares for their knockout clash with the Crusaders on Saturday.
Blues assistant coach Paul Tito shared All Blacks Barrett (quad) and Papali’i (jaw) are taking their injuries week by week, fearing it could be too "niggly" to allow them to play in Christchurch - or even beyond, should they somehow advance.
"They have been great at training and driving the boys and making sure that we're prepared the best we can be for a big game on Saturday," Tito told Sport Nation's Mornings with Ric & Chappy.
"They're two massive contributors to a club, but other guys need to step up and try and do the job for us there.”
Beauden Barrett | Photo: Photosport
Tito expects Christchurch's new Te Kaha Stadium will be the ideal stage for some scintillating finals footy.
“Both teams will look to play and run each other around to get that fatigue later in the game and hopefully exploit a few big fellas that are puffing and puffing.”
Acknowledging the Blues' status as underdogs, Tito said they have: “work to do and it'll take an 80 minute performance, but we're confident to go down there and put our best foot forward and do what we've talked about.
“We've got one, two, and hopefully three to come. So, at the front of my mind is making sure that we perform this weekend in Christchurch.”
Izzy's glowing review of the Te Kaha experience | Scotty & Izzy
The Blues have won eight of their 11 Super Rugby finals games since 2021 but are entering the match on a three-game losing streak.
The Crusaders have won 23 of their last 26 Super Rugby Pacific games against the Blues, including four of their last five clashes.
However the side remains the most wounded team, missing key playmakers including vice-captain Will Jordan (calf), Fletcher Newell (knee) and Tamaiti Williams (discitis) and All Blacks captain Scott Barrett (back) who previously led the Crusaders to two titles.
Listen to the full interview below:
