Blues select Papalii on bench for Super Rugby Pacific final
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Auckland-based Blues have retained the same starting XV that beat the ACT Brumbies 20-19 in the semifinals for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final against the Christchurch-based Crusaders.
The one significant change in the Blues’ match-day 23 comes on the bench where All Blacks backrower Dalton Papalii has been provisionally selected. Papalii missed the Blues quarterfinal win over the Highlanders and the semifinal after surgery to have his appendix removed.
Head coach Leon MacDonald said Papalii is confident of proving his fitness.
"He's got a few boxes to tick,” MacDonald said. “He’s got to get through a big part of (Thursday’s) training and feel really confident. It's a big game for him to have any doubts so we want him to come off the grass feeling like he’s ready to go.”
James Tucker will play if Papalii is not deemed fit.
Meanwhile, the return of All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock from a thumb injury creates the only change to the Crusaders' starting lineup for the match.
The decision of a judicial panel to allow former Argentina captain Pablo Matera to play despite accumulating four yellow cards during the season — two in the semifinal — means head coach Scott Robertson has made no other changes to his starting lineup.
Quinten Strange has been included on the bench ahead of young lock Zach Gallagher.
“As far as finals go, it doesn’t get any more exciting than taking on the Blues at a packed-out Eden Park,” Robertson said. “I’m proud of this group and the care they’ve shown this week to put themselves in a position to go and put a great performance on the field on Saturday night.
“We had a few sore bodies following the huge defensive effort last week but everyone has come through the week really well and excitement is building towards Saturday night.”
Saturday’s match is a sell-out and a crowd of 42,000 expected at Auckland's Eden Park.
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Lineups:
Blues: Stephen Perofeta, A.J. Lam, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett (captain), Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Nepo Laulala, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, Dalton Papalii/James Tucker, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan.
Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall; Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (captain), Oliver Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Mitchell Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge.
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