Latest news with #ZarnSullivan
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Scoop
Blues Set For Semi Final Showdown In Christchurch
The Blues have made just one change to their starting line-up for Friday night's Super Rugby Pacific semi final against the Crusaders in Christchurch. Zarn Sullivan slots into the starting role at fullback in place of Corey Evans, with the remainder of the game day 23 unchanged from last week's win over the Chiefs. The Blues bring a strong and proven forward pack anchored by Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papali'i, and Hoskins Sotutu, with set-piece strength and mobility around the park. In the backs, playmakers Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam and strike runners Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke and Mark Tele'a all add firepower and finals experience. The Blues are hunting a place in back-to-back Grand Finals after lifting the trophy in 2024, and will need to go through Christchurch where the Crusaders boast an impressive finals record. Head coach Vern Cotter said there is a good feeling within the group ahead of the do-or-die match-up. 'It's going to be a tough game and we need to be as accurate as possible. There's been good clarity this week and the boys are up for it. We're going to enjoy the contest,' he said. 'We're putting things together at the right time of the year. The guys know how to win big games and that's our goal again on Friday night.' The Blues enjoyed significant support from their fans against the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend and look forward to fans coming out again to show their blue this Friday night in Christchurch. Blues Team for Semi Final 7.05pm, Friday 13 June vs Crusaders *caps in brackets 1. Joshua Fusitu'a (36) 2. Ricky Riccitelli (50) 3. Marcel Renata (65) 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (123) 5. Laghlan McWhannell (22) 6. Adrian Choat (53) 7. Dalton Papali'i (96) 8. Hoskins Sotutu (77) 9. Finlay Christie (67) 10. Beauden Barrett (43) 11. Caleb Clarke (74) 12. AJ Lam (57) 13. Rieko Ioane (127) 14. Mark Tele'a (79) 15. Zarn Sullivan (41) Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (74), 17. Jordan Lay (26), 18. Angus Ta'avao (81), 19. Josh Beehre (26), 20. Anton Segner (36), 21. Sam Nock (81), 22. Harry Plummer (88), 23. Cole Forbes (29) 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)
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Super Rugby Pacific: teams named for semi-finals
After an improbable run to the semi-finals, the Blues carry in much-needed momentum into Friday night's big clash with the Crusaders. They've only made one change to the side that beat the Chiefs but it's an interesting one, with Zarn Sullivan coming in at fullback. That suggests coach Vern Cotter is anticipating a bit of kicking, with Sullivan's boot perhaps the biggest in the country right now. Meanwhile, it's an unchanged Crusaders team that will meet them at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. There's a slight reshuffle in the loosies for the Chiefs in their side to take on the Brumbies on Saturday night in Hamilton. Wallace Sititi has been named to start at number eight, with Luke Jacobson returning at openside and Samipeni Finau on the blindside. Simon Parker picked up an ankle strain in the loss to the Blues and drops out of the squad, with Jimmy Tupou and Kaylum Boshier on the bench. Quinn Tupaea returns to starts at second five as well. Crusaders v Blues Kick-off: 7:05pm Friday 13 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Antonio Shalfoon, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Christian Lio-Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Sevu Reece, 12. David Havili, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Chay Fihaki, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Jamie Hannah, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Dallas McLeod Blues: 1. Joshua Fusitu'a, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Laghlan McWhannell, 6. Adrian Choat, 7. Dalton Papali'i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Finlay Christie, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele'a, 15. Zarn Sullivan Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Jordan Lay, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Josh Beehre, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. Cole Forbes Zarn Sullivan of the Blues. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Chiefs v Brumbies Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 14 June FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ Chiefs: 1. Ollie Norris, 2. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 3. George Dyer, 4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5. Tupou Vaa'i, 6. Samipeni Finau, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Quinn Tupaea, 13. Daniel Rona, 14. Emoni Narawa, 15. Shaun Stevenson Bench: 16. Brodie McAlister, 17. Jared Proffit, 18. Reuben O'Neill, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Kaylum Boshier, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Josh Jacomb, 23. Gideon Wrampling
