Blues Named For Must-Win Against Waratahs
In their final game of the regular season, the Blues need to secure a win in front of their home fans to keep their finals hopes alive.
After serving a three-game suspension for a dangerous tackle, Mark Tele'a injects his energy back into the side with a start on the right wing.
With the return of Tele'a, AJ Lam shifts back to second five while Finlay Christie earns the starting halfback spot.
In the forwards, Anton Segner has been cleared after a heavy collision in Round 14, with the 23-year-old back into the starting XV at blindside flanker.
There are several changes to the reserves with prop Jordan Lay and halfback Sam Nock coming into the match day 23, alongside Adrian Choat who returns from a shoulder injury.
Saturday's game will also be a celebration of club rugby, with players wearing their club socks. Fans will be allowed onto the turf after the match to get autographs and photos with players.
Alongside the action, Eden Park will come alive prior to kickoff with the first-ever Waiata Singalong, a series of activations led by Dame Hinewehi Mohi DNZM, designed to bring people together through the power of waiata.
Blues Team for Round 16
4.35pm, Saturday 31 May vs NSW Waratahs
1. Joshua Fusitu'a (34)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (48)
3. Marcel Renata (63)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (121)
5. Laghlan McWhannell (20)
6. Anton Segner (34)
7. Dalton Papali'i (94)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (75)
9. Finlay Christie (65)
10. Beauden Barrett (41)
11. Caleb Clarke (72)
12. AJ Lam (55)
13. Rieko Ioane (125)
14. Mark Tele'a (77)
15. Corey Evans (26)
Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (72), 17. Jordan Lay (24), 18. Angus Ta'avao (79), 19. Josh Beehre (24), 20. Adrian Choat (52), 21. Sam Nock (79), 22. Harry Plummer (86), 23. Cole Forbes (27)
Players not considered due to injury: Cam Christie (thumb), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical, season), Ofa Tu'ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)
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NZ Herald
20 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Women's Rugby World Cup: Squads, full schedule, how to watch – all you need to know
Black Ferns v Japan, 1.00am, Sandy Park, Exeter Black Ferns v Ireland, 1.45am, Brighton Hove and Albion Stadium Forwards Loosehead prop Kate Henwood (36, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 10 Tests) Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (27, Blues, Waikato, 7 Tests) Chryss Viliko (24, Blues, Auckland, 13 Tests) Hooker Atlanta Lolohea (22, Blues, Canterbury, 7 Tests) Vici-Rose Green (22, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 2 Tests) Georgia Ponsonby (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 31 Tests) Tighthead prop Tanya Kalounivale (26, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 22 Tests) Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (20, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 1 Test) Amy Rule (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 30 Tests) Second row Laura Bayfield (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 1 Test) Alana Bremner (28, Matatū, Canterbury, 29 Tests) Chelsea Bremner (30, Matatū, Canterbury, 22 Tests) Maiakawanakaulani Roos (23, Blues, Auckland, 33 Tests) Back row Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (23, Blues, Auckland, 29 Tests) Jorja Miller (21, Black Ferns Sevens, Canterbury, 2 Tests) Kaipo Olsen-Baker (23, Matatū, Manawatū, 12 Tests) Layla Sae (24, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 14 Tests) Kennedy Tukuafu (28, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 30 Tests) Backs Halfback Iritana Hohaia (25, Hurricanes Poua, Taranaki, 17 Tests) Maia Joseph (23, Matatū, Otago, 11 Tests) Risaleaana Pouri-Lane (25, Black Ferns Sevens, Tasman, 2 Tests) First five-eighths Kelly Brazier (35, Chiefs Manawa, Bay of Plenty, 43 Tests) Ruahei Demant (30, Blues, Auckland, 45 Tests) Centre Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai'i Sylvia Brunt (21, Blues, Auckland, 25 Tests) Amy du Plessis (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 21 Tests) Theresa Setefano (30, Blues, Auckland, 19 Tests) Stacey Waaka (29, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 27 Tests) Wing / fullback Renee Holmes (25, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 23 Tests) Ayesha Leti-I'iga (26, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 26 Tests) Braxton Sorensen-McGee (18, Blues, Auckland, 3 Tests) Katelyn Vahaakolo (25, Blues, Auckland, 17 Tests Portia Woodman-Wickliffe (34, Blues, Northland, 27 Tests) 1991 - USA 1994 - England 1998 - New Zealand 2002 - New Zealand 2006 - New Zealand 2010 - New Zealand 2014 - England 2017 - New Zealand 2021 - New Zealand Pool A England Australia USA Samoa Pool B Canada Scotland Wales Fiji Pool C New Zealand Ireland Japan Spain Pool D France Italy South Africa Brazil All the matches will be aired across Sky Sport and Sky Open. Every game is live on Sky Sport. The three Black Ferns pool games will be delayed on Sky Open while their potential semifinal and final will be live and free-to-air. A detailed view of the new Women's Rugby World Cup Trophy. Photo / World Rugby Images Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Marlie Packer, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward. Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing. Forwards: Katalina Amosa, Bree-Anna Browne, Emily Chancellor, Annabelle Codey, Piper Duck, Ashley Fernandez, Brianna Hoy, Asoiva Karpani, Lydia Kavoa, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Ashley Marsters, Tania Naden, Bridie O'Gorman, Siokapesi Palu, Faliki Pohiva, Adiana Talakai, Tabua Tuinakauvadra. Backs: Lori Cramer, Waiaria Ellis, Georgina Friedrichs, Caitlyn Halse, Tia Hinds, Desiree Miller, Faitala Moleka, Manu'a Moleka, Layne Morgan, Trilleen Pomare, Cecilia Smith, Maya Stewart, Caitlin Urwin, Samantha Wood. Forwards: Glory Aiono Samuelu, Utumalama Atonio, Joanna Fanene Lolo, Avau Filimaua, Nina Maria Foaese, Tori Iosefo, Madisen Jade Iva, Cathy Leuta, Ana Mamea, Faith Nonutunu, Christabelle Onesemo, Demielle Onesemo, Sinead Ryder, Ana-Lise Sio, Sui Pauaraisa, Ti Tauasosi, Jennifer Taylor. 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Backs: Ema Adivitaloga, Ilisapeci Delaiwaau, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Salanieta Kinita, Kolora Rosi Lomani, Kelerayani Luvu, Salote Nailolo, Alowesi Nakoci, Josifini Neihamu, Setaita Railumu, Michella'e Stolz, Repeka Tove, Mere Vocevoce, Litiana Vueti. Forwards: Leah Bartlett, Becky Boyd, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Adelle Ferrie, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm, Elis Martin, Rachel McLachlan, Molly Poolman, Lana Skeldon, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Molly Wright, Anne Young. Backs: Leia Brebner-Holden, Beth Blacklock, Rhea Clarke, Coreen Grant, Rhona Lloyd, Caity Mattinson, Francesca McGhie, Helen Nelson, Hannah Ramsay, Chloe Rollie, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Hannah Walker, Evie Wills. Forwards: Katherine Baverstock, Alex Callender, Gwen Crabb, Maisie Davies, Georgia Evans, Abbie Fleming, Kelsey Jones, Bryonie King, Bethan Lewis, Branwen Metcalfe, Carys Phillips, Alaw Pyrs, Gwenllian Pyrs, Molly Reardon, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Tilly Vucaj, Kate Williams. Backs: Keira Bevan, Carys Cox, Hannah Dallavalle, Meg Davies, Lleucu George, Jasmine Joyce, Courtney Keight, Kerin Lake, Seren Lockwood, Nel Metcalfe, Lisa Neumann, Kayleigh Powell, Catherine Richards. Forwards: Claire Boles, Beth Buttimer, Ruth Campbell, Eimear Corri Fallon, Linda Djougang, Brittany Hogan, Neve Jones, Ivana Kiripati, Siobhán McCarthy, Sadhbh McGrath, Edel McMahon, Clíodhna Moloney MacDonald, Sam Monaghan, Grace Moore, Niamh O'Dowd, Ellena Perry, Fiona Tuite, Aoife Wafer. Backs: Enya Breen, Amee Leigh Costigan, Aoife Dalton, Méabh Deely, Stacey Flood, Nicole Fowley, Eve Higgins, Emily Lane, Anna McGann, Nancy McGillivray, Dannah O'Brien, Béibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Molly Scuffil-McCabe. Forwards: Kyoko Hosokawa, Sachiko Kato, Masami Kawamura, Wako Kitano, Ayumu Kokaji, Hinata Komaki, Sakurako Korai, Asuka Kuge, Miharu Machida, Manami Mine, Iroha Nagata, Nijiho Nagata, Jennifer Nduka, Seina Saito, Ayano Sakurai, Yuna Sato, Kotomi Taniguchi, Otoka Yoshimura. Backs: Megumi Abe, Nao Ando, Mana Furuta, Sakurako Hatada, Haruka Hirotsu, Komachi Imakugi, Mele Yua Havili Kagawa, Kanako Kobayashi, Rinka Matsuda, Misaki Matsumura, Sora Nishimura, Ayasa Otsuka, Moe Tsukui, Minori Yamamoto. Forwards: Lourdes Alameda, Inés Antolínez, Cristina Blanco, Sidorella Bracic, Alba Capell, Mónica Castelo, Mireia de Andrés, Laura Delgado, Eider García, Nerea García, Nuria Jou, Elena Martínez, Ana Peralta, Valentina Pérez, Lía Piñeiro, Anna Puig, Marieta Román, Victoria Rosell, Gemma Silva. Backs: Maider Aresti, Amalia Argudo, Claudia Cano, Ana Cortés, Lea Ducher, Anne Fernández de Corres, Tecla Masoko, Claudia Peña, Claudia Pérez, Zahía Pérez, Clara Piquero, Bingbing Vergara, Alba Vinuesa. Forwards: Larissa Aleves, Franciele Barros, Camilla Ísis, Eshyllen Coimbra, Íris Coluna, Dayana Dakar, Isabela Gomes Saccomanno, Larissa Henwood, Natalia Jonck, Julia Leni Lima, Giovana Mamede, Letícia Medeiros, Taís Prioste, Ana Carolina Santana, Leticia Silva, Pamela Soares Santos, Mercelle Souza, Samara Vergara. 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Forwards: Ilaria Arrighetti, Giordana Duca, Valeria Fedrighi, Alessandra Frangipani, Elisa Giordano, Laura Gurioli, Isabella Locatelli, Gaia Maris, Alessia Pilani, Alissa Ranuccini, Sara Seye, Francesca Sgorbini, Desiree Spinelli, Emanuela Stecca, Sara Tounesi, Silvia Turani, Vittoria Vecchini, Beatrice Veronese. Backs: Alia Bitonci, Gaia Buso, Beatrice Capomaggi, Giada Corradini, Alyssa D'Inca, Francesca Granzotto, Veronica Madia, Sara Mannini, Aura Muzzo, Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Beatrice Rigoni, Michela Sillari, Sofia Stefan, Emma Stevanin. Forwards: Nolusindiso Booi, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Luchell Hanekom, Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Danelle Lochner, Lerato Makua, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Nomsa Mokwai, Yonela Ngxingolo, Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Anathi Qolo, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke, Vainah Ubisi. Backs: Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandré Dolf, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Tayla Kinsey, Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chumisa Qawe, Nadine Roos, Maceala Samboya, Unam Tose, Eloise Webb, Mary Zulu. Saturday August 23 England v USA, Pool A, Stadium of Light, Sunderland, 6.30am Australia v Samoa, Pool A, Salford, 11pm Sunday August 24 Scotland v Wales, Pool B, Salford, 1.45am Canada v Fiji, Pool B, York, 4.30am Ireland v Japan, Pool C, Northampton, 11pm Monday August 25 South Africa v Brazil, Pool D, Northampton, 1.45am New Zealand v Spain, Pool C, York, 4.30am Saturday August 30 Canada v Wales, Pool B, Salford, 11pm Sunday August 31 Scotland v Fiji, Pool B, Salford, 1.45 am England v Samoa, Pool A, Northampton, 4am USA v Australia, Pool A, York, 6.30am Ireland v Spain, Pool C, Northampton, 11pm Monday September 1 New Zealand v Japan, Pool C, Exeter, 1am Italy v South Africa, Pool D, York, 2.30am France v Brazil, Pool D, Exeter, 3.45am Saturday September 6 Canada v Scotland, Pool B, Exeter, 11pm Sunday September 7 USA v Samoa, Pool A, York, 12.30am Wales v Fiji, Pool B, Exeter, 1.45am England v Australia, Pool A, Brighton, 4am Japan v Spain, Pool C, York, 11pm Monday September 8 New Zealand v Ireland, Pool C, Brighton, 1.45am Italy v Brazil, Pool D, Northampton, 2am France v South Africa, Pool D, Northampton, 4.45am Sunday September 14 Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D, Quarter-final, Exeter, 12am Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A, Quarter-final, Bristol, 3am Monday September 15 Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C, Quarter-final, Exeter, 12am Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B, Quarter-final, Bristol, 3am Saturday September 20 Semifinal 1 (Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2), Ashton Gate (Bristol), 6am Sunday September 21 Semifinal 2 (Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4), Ashton Gate (Bristol), 2.30am Saturday September 27 Bronze Final, Twickenham (London), 11.30pm Sunday September 28 Final, Twickenham (London), 3am
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Top Four beckons for Southland Boys'
Southland Boys' have made the finals of the National First XV Championship and will chase glory for the second time in three years. They beat Christchurch Boys' 32-29 in Invercargill on Saturday and will join the regional winners of the Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes competitions in the Top Four series later this month. Southland Boys' won the national championship in 2023 when the then 15-year-old Jimmy Taylor drilled a late drop goal to help set up the 32-29 win over Westlake Boys'. Taylor was at it again a couple of weeks ago when he banged over a drop goal to seal a 27-26 win over King's in the final of the Southern Schools Rugby Championship to clinch a berth in the South Island final. Christchurch Boys' headed to Invercargill following a 52-0 demolition job on rival Christ's College in the Crusaders final. The visitors opened up a 12-3 lead, but the home team rallied. Lock Jack McKeay crashed over from a quick tap penalty, and Taylor nailed an important penalty before the break to give his side a 13-12 lead, coach Jason Dermody said. "Just to go into the break with the lead was big," he said. "We had a bit of a breeze behind us, which was good, so we could kick the ball deep into their half. "There were a couple of big periods of defence, obviously, at the end again, where we didn't give away a penalty. "Just real proud of the boys. We won it through defence again." McKeay was back in the action early in the second spell when he drove over from close to the line. Then flanker Josh Cairns picked the ball up from the base of a ruck and ran in unopposed to give Southland some breathing space. Christchurch Boys' roared back with two unconverted tries. The game was back in the balance until Zeke Hammond-Siolo scored a tremendous try. A Christchurch Boys' clearance missed touch, and Southland Boys' spun it wide to the left winger. He hit the ball at pace, gave it the in-out to get around his marker, fended off the next and skipped through the last would-be tackler to score a 40m try. There was one more twist. Christchurch Boys' halfback Hiro Fuchigami scored a brilliant solo try to set up a tense final few minutes. He sold a dummy then busted through around the ruck and ran 20-odd metres to score between the posts. Southland Boys' defended desperately and held on. — Christchurch Girls' cruised to a 73-12 win over St Hilda's Collegiate in the South Island secondary schoolgirls final in Christchurch.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
New role for Kolisi as Boks look to nullify Wallabies threat
South African Captain Siya Kolisi speaks with Mark Tele'a of New Zealand. Photo: Catherine Kotze / South Africa captain Siya Kolisi might be fast approaching 100 caps for his country, but when they take on Australia on Sunday morning, he will be scrumming down at No 8 for the first time in a Springbok jersey. He starts the opening Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies at Ellis Park at the back of the pack, moved from the flank in a move designed to counter Australia's prowess at breakdown play. "My role will change slightly in the lineouts and the scrums, but other than that I'll be fulfilling my usual role," Kolisi said. "Playing No 8 at the Sharks certainly helped me, although the role here is different," he said of previous experience at franchise level. "I'm also not the same type of player as Jasper (Wiese) or Duane (Vermeulen) in terms of my size, so I'm going to give what I can offer." Vermeulen was a colossus at No 8 for the Boks when they won the last two World Cups and since his retirement Wiese has similarly been physically brutal in his style. However, he is suspended for Saturday's clash. "The breakdowns are going to be a big area of the game, so myself, (flankers) Marco (van Staden) and Pieter-Steph (du Toit) have important jobs, although that said, the breakdowns are a team effort," added Kolisi, who wins a 94th cap. Rassie Erasmus. Photo:Kolisi at No 8 gives South Africa more effectiveness at breakdown play, countering Australia's threat, said coach Rassie Erasmus earlier this week. "The more we prepared, we realised the only time Siya really plays at eight is during scrums, and scrums happen maybe 13 or 14 times a game. General play happens far more. Australia are a huge threat at the breakdown, and Pieter-Steph, Marco and Siya are really strong there," said the coach. Saturday's clash comes after Australia lost their home series 2-1 to the British & Irish Lions, albeit winning the last test in Sydney at the start of the month. South Africa will start as strong favourites but Kolisi cautioned about looking ahead to a potentially stiffer test against New Zealand later in the southern hemisphere championship. "The talk in our camp has solely been on Australia. We saw how they played against the British & Irish Lions, and we've been in the position they are now in the past, so it would be foolish to think that they won't throw everything at us," Kolisi said. South Africa have been forced into a late change to their bench, prop Boan Venter replacing the injured Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Wessels was injured in training on Wednesday and has not recovered in time and will be replaced by Venter, who made his Springboks debut against Georgia last month. Venter joins fellow prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and experienced hooker Bongi Mbonambi as the front row replacements, with South Africa opting for a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench, diminishing the effectiveness of their so-called "Bomb Squad" of forward replacements. {h} Wallabies tweak bench Meanwhile, Australia also made a change to their bench, after re-evaluating the cover they want for veteran first-five James O'Connor. Coach Joe Schmidt decided he would pick Tane Edmed, who has a single cap, as cover and has taken loose forward Nick Champion de Crespigny off the list of replacements he had named on Thursday. Ben Donaldson was originally meant to be cover for the 35-year-old O'Connor, who will play for the Wallabies for the first time in three years, but went down with an unspecified upper leg injury in training. It added to the woes at No10 for Australia, whose first choice Tom Lynagh suffered a concussion in the third test against the British & Irish Lions in Sydney a fortnight ago and did not travel for the two matches against the Springboks. The second clash is in Cape Town next weekend. - Reuters
