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Sold out Super Rugby Final too big of an occasion to turn down for Blues captain
Jamie Lawlor • June 20th, 2024 11:08 am
The team lists for both the Blues and the Chiefs were released yesterday ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific Final at Eden Park.
The significance of this sold out finale has resulted in some surprise selections from both sides, with the most notable return being Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu from injury.
Blues head Coach Vern Cotter stated that Tuipulotu’s selection has been made with careful consideration and that he wouldn’t have been selected if he didn’t get approval from the medical team.
“Patty’s a Blues man through and through and came to us this week pretty keen to play in a Grand Final,” Cotter said.
“He tested the knee on Monday in the gym, then on the grass yesterday (Tuesday). He’s pulled up well and has the all-clear from our medical team – he’s a welcome addition to our pack, our talisman lock and leader.”
Like the Blues, the Chiefs have also suffered injuries to some of their key players throughout their journey to the final.
In their semi-final against the Hurricanes, the Chiefs lost their starting and reserve hookers Samisoni Taukei’aho and Bradley Slater to injuries, as well as lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan says that losing key pieces to injury is unfortunate but it is a part of the sport.
“It’s unfortunate to have lost some key players through injury, but no team has been immune to this, and you won’t see us worrying about something we can’t control.
“But we are genuinely excited for the players who now get their opportunity.
“In Tyrone Thompson and Manaaki Selby-Rickit, we have two quality players who will serve the team extremely well," McMillan said.
The Chiefs also welcome back 1-Test All Black Shaun Stevenson to the side, after being sidelined with a hamstring niggle, while veteran Bryce Heem is back from a calf issue and is given a spot on the Blues bench.
Both Cotter and McMillan know that this Super Rugby final is not going to be a walk in the park.
Cotter says that his team has been working on prioritising decision-making and team discipline to give them the best chance of victory this weekend.
“There’s a deep desire in this group to go the whole way but to do that we need to be clear in our thinking, disciplined, and not let the occasion get the better of us." Cotter said.
“The Chiefs will be coming to spoil the party."
Clayton McMillan believes that the Chiefs are as prepared as they can be ahead of their ‘Battle of the Bombays’.
“The team are embracing finals week and looks forward to what will be a massive occasion for rugby.
“We produced some good footy when it mattered and feel battle-hardened for a final. Our leaders have really stepped up, driven our preparation, and led by example through their performances,” McMillan said.
Forty thousand tickets have been sold for the Grand Final at Eden Park, however, the Blues ticketing team have confirmed that there is a possibility of a limited release of additional tickets later this week.
The team lists for the Super Rugby Final are as follows:
Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele’a, 15. Stephen Perofeta. Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Joshua Fusitu’a, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Taufa Funaki, 22. Bryce Heem, 23. Cole Forbes.
Chiefs: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Tyrone Thompson, 3. George Dyer, 4. Jimmy Tupou, 5. Tupou Vaa’I, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson (c), 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Etene Nanai-Seturo, 12. Rameka Poihipi, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson. Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O’Neill, 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 20. Simon Parker, 21, Xavier Roe, 22. Quinn Tupaea, 23. Daniel Rona.
