Rieko Ioane sits out Blues clash but All Blacks pair make 2024 Super Rugby Pacific bows

All Blacks forwards Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Akira Ioane will make their first appearances of 2024 after being named in the Blues side to take on the Highlanders.

Tu’ungafasi and Ioane missed the Auckland outfit’s opening match of the season as they defeated Fijian Drua 34-10 last weekend.

They come into the team at loosehead prop and blindside flanker respectively for Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash.

Big and bruising

“It’s great to welcome back Akira and Ofa this weekend, both are high quality players who we’re sure will make a big impact on Friday night,” said Blues head coach Vern Cotter.

“Ofa joins a new-look front row for this match, it’s crucial we build depth in those tight forward positions and to welcome someone of his calibre back to the starting team is very pleasing.

“Akira is a big, bruising loosie who imposes himself on any match. He’s starting to dial it up at training so it will be good to let him loose on the opposition this weekend.”

Tu’ungafasi joins Ricky Riccitelli and Marcel Renata in the front-row while Ioane forms a powerful loose trio alongside Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu.

The lock combination is not quite as experienced, with former Chief Laghlan McWhannell coming into the side to partner Sam Darry.

“Laghlan McWhannell gets his crack at lock, he’s been impressive through the pre-season and is itching to get out there,” Cotter said.

“We were really impressed with Josh Beehre in his debut match last weekend and we’re happy with the depth we are building in that position.”

International pair rested

Behind the scrum, All Blacks scrum-half Finlay Christie is being rested, which means Taufa Funaki combines with Stephen Perofeta at half-back.

Outside of them is an outstanding set of runners, although they are without Rieko Ioane, who, like Christie, is sitting out this clash.

Ioane picked up a slight hamstring strain in the first round and the Blues have taken this opportunity to use one of the mandatory rest weeks the New Zealand internationals must be given.

“We’re going to need our entire squad fit and firing in this campaign and half-back is no exception. We’ve got three quality players in that position and Taufa gets his chance to impress on Friday night,” Cotter added.

“Rieko felt his hammy a little against the Drua so this is an opportune time to manage his workload and make sure that’s 100 percent.

“It’s been a special week for Bryce (Heem) as he returns to the side after welcoming his third child to the family. He’s an experienced campaigner and a big body so we expect him to bend the defensive line and create opportunities around him.

“AJ (Lam) is a gifted rugby player, he’s versatile and very capable. He replaced Rieko at centre in the weekend and that’s where he gets his chance on Friday night – a great opportunity for him to show us what he’s got.”

Blues team to face Highlanders

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Bryce Heem, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Taufa Funaki, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 3 Marcel Renata, 2, Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Josh Beehre, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Cole Forbes

Date: Friday, March 1
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 18:00 local (07:00 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Marcus Playle (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)

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