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RNZ News
09-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific: Blues thump Drua, keep season alive
Dalton Papali'i against the Drua. Photo: Kirk Corrie/ActionPress Job done. That'll be the feeling for the Blues on the way home from what appeared to be a challenging trip to Suva, that turned out to be anything but. The 34-5 win over the Fijian Drua was one that was looking likely after Marcel Renata crashed over after just six minutes, after that the defending champions simply scored with regularity and enjoyed the lion's share of possession. This very much looked like the Blues' much vaunted game plan from last season, which relied on hogging the ball and making the opposition play at their pace. All of the Blues' tries came from rucks less than five metres out and it was no surprise that fellow props Angus Ta'avao and Josh Fusitu'a crossed the line too. Halfback Taufa Funaki made the most of his start by scoring a try as well, with winger Cole Forbes dotting down in one of the easiest finishes of his career to complete the rout. The Drua could only manage a try to Selestino Ravutaumada in the last few minutes to avoid getting blanked, but it didn't do much to make up for what was a lacklustre performance by the home side. So that means the Blues are now halfway through their four match must-win series to finish the regular season. They head home for an away game in their own hometown next weekend against Moana Pasifika, who will be coming off a bye. However, the Drua are now just trying to avoid coming last. The one thing in their favour is that their remaining games are at home, with the Force making the trip up to Fiji next weekend. Read how the game unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
RNZ News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Blues v Force: what you need to know
Blues v Force Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 2 May Eden Park, Auckland Live blog coverage on RNZ Sport The Blues need to win all four of their remaining games to make the Super Rugby Pacific play-offs, a task that starts tonight against the Force. To say this season has been disappointing so far for the defending champions is a severe understatement, however if they can turn things around now the Blues can make an unlikely title defence - especially since they were so poor in their loss to the Reds last weekend. Even though the Force were handily beaten last weekend by the Chiefs, they are a much more powerful threat than usual thanks to an influx of players this season from the defunct Melbourne Rebels. Ofa Tu'ungafasi dives for the try line. Photo: Photosport Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. AJ Lam, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Stephen Perofeta Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Cam Christie, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Sam Nock, 23. Corey Evans Force: 1. Ryan Coxon, 2. Nic Dolly, 3. Tom Robertson, 4. Jeremy Williams (c), 5. Darcy Swain, 6. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. Henry Robertson, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Mac Grealy, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Bayley Kuenzle, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Kurtley Beale Bench: 16. Albert Alcock, 17. Atu Moli, 18. Josh Smith, 19. Josh Thompson, 20. Will Harris, 21. Nic White, 22. Max Burey, 23. George Poolman Xavi Taele of the Blues at the Super Rugby Pacific at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton. Photo: Jeremy Ward / Photosport Finlay Christie, Zarn Sullivan and Mark Tele'a are all missing from the side that lost to the Reds, but at least Tele'a can blame suspension for his omission. He's out for three weeks after a horrible tackle on Tim Ryan, but the other two have simply paid the price for poor performances. Taufa Funaki takes over at halfback and AJ Lam moves to the wing, with Xavi Taele coming in at second five. Photo: AFP It's a warm welcome back for Kurtley Beale, the former Wallaby pulling on the boots for the first time this season after an injury layoff. Jeremy Williams returns to the starting side after being a late withdrawal last weekend, while Reed Prinsep is elevated to the starting side. Former All Black Atu Moli comes onto the bench. Harry Potter during the Chiefs v Force, Super Rugby Pacific match, Blake Park, Tauranga. Photo: Aaron Gillions/ActionPress The Blues are undefeated in their last 12 Super Rugby games against Western Force (W11 D1) and have won their last nine in a row against them. The only time the Force have ever beaten the Blues was in 2008. The Force have lost 22 of their last 23 Super Rugby Pacific games in New Zealand including their last nine in a row, conceding 55+ points in each of their last three games. Force winger Harry Potter has scored six tries in his last six games in Super Rugby Pacific. He's never played against the Blues, but he has scored four tries in his last four games against New Zealand opponents. "I just don't think we have that same intensity. I think we've forgotten and it's important we remind ourselves that it's a competition, and one you've got to engage yourself in fully to be competitive." - Blues coach Vern Cotter. "It's a great opportunity to come to Eden Park and play, it's a privilege to play at the stadium but it's a field, it's grass, it's got white lines. It's important that we can perform at any surface at any time." - Force coach Simon Cron. Blues 50 - 3 Force The Blues enjoyed their biggest win of the season with this beatdown at Eden Park, scoring at a regular rate across the 80 minutes despite having rested many of their top lineup. Taufa Funaki was the main beneficiary with two tries and a very assured performance. Even though the Blues have been awful, and the Force have been promising, it's hard to see the Western Australians forcing a result after a horrible day of rain in Auckland. If they do, it'll likely be in the fashion that the Brumbies achieved victory earlier this season. It's likely the Blues will go back to their power game, so expect a heavy diet of Hoskins Sotutu with ball in hand.
RNZ News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Team Namings: Canes and Chiefs headline weekend's action
The Hurricanes and Chiefs headline this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific action, with the Canes naming a similar side to the one that beat the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend. Meanwhile, Wallace Sititi's return to play is again managed through the reserves, while the Chiefs are once again missing Damian McKenzie. Josh Jacomb starts at first five but with Clayton McMillan going for a six forward/two back bench, there's not a lot of back up available if something goes wrong. Other selection news: Finlay Christie and Zarn Sullivan have paid the price for the Blues' disastrous loss in Brisbane last weekend, dropped from the squad to play the Force completely. Taufa Funaki is back from injury and takes over at halfback, while Mark Tele'a's suspension sees AJ Lam moved out to the wing and youngster Xavi Taele getting a recall at 12. Moana have named a strong side for their intriguing visit to Dunedin, with a super-charged loose forward trio of Miracle Faiilagi, Ardie Savea and Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa the most obvious threat. It's a homecoming for Tupou-Ta'eiloa, who went to school at Otago Boys High. Kyren Tamoefolau comes back from injury onto the wing. Former Wallaby prop Pone Fa'amausili will debut off the bench. The Highlanders have somewhat surprisingly swapped Nathan Hastie back into the starting line-up ahead of Folau Fakatava, however it is worth mentioning that Hastie was probably the best player on the park the last time these sides met. Timoci Tavatavanawai moves back into the midfield and Sam Gilbert goes back to the wing. Blues v Force Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 2 May Eden Park, Auckland Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. AJ Lam, 12. Xavi Taele, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Cole Forbes, 15. Stephen Perofeta Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Cam Christie, 21. Adrian Choat, 22. Sam Nock, 23. Corey Evans Blues halfback Taufa Funaki celebrates his try with Corey Evans and Rieko Ioane. Photo: Photosport Hurricanes v Chiefs Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 3 May Sky Stadium, Wellington Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Hurricanes: 1. Tevita Mafileo, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Brayden Iose, 7. Du'Plessis Kirifi (cc), 8. Peter Lakai, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Riley Higgins, 13. Billy Proctor (cc), 14. Ngatungane Punivai, 15. Callum Harkin Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Zach Gallagher, 20. Brad Shields (cc), 21. Ereatara Enari, 22. Riley Hohepa, 23. Bailyn Sullivan Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. George Dyer, 4. Josh Lord, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Kaylum Boshier, 8. Luke Jacobson (c), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Josh Jacomb, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Simon Parker, 21. Wallace Sititi, 22. Xavier Roe, 23. Gideon Wrampling Chiefs forward Wallace Sititi in action during their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Hurricanes. Photo: photosport Highlanders v Moana Pasifika Kick-off: 3:35pm Sunday 4 May Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Highlanders: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Soane Vikena, 3. Saula Ma'u, 4. Fabian Holland, 5. Oliver Haig, 6. TK Howden, 7. Sean Withy, 8. Hugh Renton (cc), 9. Nathan Hastie, 10. Cameron Millar, 11. Jonah Lowe, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai (cc), 13. Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 14. Sam Gilbert, 15. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens Bench: 16. Jack Taylor, 17. Josh Bartlett, 18. Rohan Wingham, 19. Mitch Dunshea, 20. Veveni Lasaqa, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Taine Robinson, 23. Jake Te Hiwi Moana Pasifika: 1. Tito Tuipulotu, 2. Millennium Sanerivi, 3. Chris Apoua, 4. Tom Savage, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Miracle Faiilagi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 8. Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa, 9. Jonathan Taumateine, 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop, 11. Kyren Taumoefolau, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Lalomilo Lalomilo, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. William Havili Bench: 16. Tomasi Maka, 17. Monu Moli, 18. Pone Fa'amausili, 19. Ofa Tauatevalu, 20. Sione Havili Talitui, 21. Melani Matavao, 22. Julian Savea, 23. Patrick Pellegrini Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Also: Fijian Drua v Reds Kick-off: 2:05pm Saturday 3 March HFC Bank Stadium, Suva Brumbies v Waratahs Kick-off: 9:35pm Saturday 3 March GIO Stadium, Canberra Crusaders - bye
