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SBW and the returning Blake Gibson are co-captains. Plummer gets his first start. Renata, Scrafton and Nock back from injury to provide some input from the bench. BLUES: Melani Nanai, Tanielu Tele'a, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams (co-capt), Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Augustine Pulu; Akira...

For the first bolded point what about Papali'i then? This is the second week in a row that his ill discipline has cost the Blues. As for the second bolded point good to see you are keeping your expectations reasonable then..... For the record - according to Fox Sports on the weekend Akira...

It's fairly clear at this point you've got it in for Akira no matter what he does. Out of all the Blues on display today you single him out - one of the best Blues today. It's not like there aren't ample other Blues that deserve criticism from today's game! Nonu, Cowley-Tuioti, Ruru etc. Take...

Akira had a fine game. His defence was terrific - he has developed a nice short passing game, and he wasn't even involved in niggle this week. Plenty of heart shown by the Blues just no brains. They don't know when to offload and when not too. The backline just isnt right - though Faiane made...

Mauger deserves criticism for not changing his halves earlier. As noted by Dismal, Hammington and Gatland were the main problems for the backs - it was bleedingly obvious watching at the ground. He should have hooked Gatland much earlier.

BLUES: Melani Nanai, Tanielu Tele'a, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Augustine Pulu; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tuungafasi, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Sione Mafileo, Gerard...

That would explain him not starting but that doesnt explain him not being on the bench. Theyve gone with, by all accounts, a fairly average youngster Jackson. Speaking of youngsters one to keep an eye on is Fakatava - only 19 but has serious talent.

Highlanders named. Rebels should be eyeing up a W here with Higlanders missing Smiths, Whitelock, Matchbox 20, Squire, Hunt and Coltman. Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ash Dixon (C) Siate Tokolahi, Jackson Hemopo, Pari Pari Parkinson, Shannon Frizell, James Lentjes, Elliot Dixon, Kayne Hammington, Bryn...

Yeah certainly a step back from the Blues this week. Their backline really is a mess - which is not surprising as it has been this way for about 10 years and as many predicted not signing a proper centre is really starting to bite them. Faiane at 13 certainly did not work. Caleb Clarke is...

Leon is not mucking around. Collins pays the price for another poor NZ derby performance by him. That backline from centre on out has more pace than last week's team. Blues team 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Caleb Clarke, 13 TJ Faiane, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan...

Paul Cully I think summed things up quite well I thought - that the Tahs pack struggled with the Canes and given that the Tahs problems last year were in the pack and that the Canes pack was weak by NZ standards that has to be concerning.

Correct sir. Crusaders certainly got the rub of the green with the calls. I was pretty happy with the Blues. You could definitely see the impact of the new coaches. The forwards actually got stuck in and the team seemed to have an actual game plan. The backline needs work but the forward...

Crusaders named Crusaders have opted to start their AB props whereas Blues are bringing their AB props off the bench. Crusaders: David Havili, Manasa Mataele, Braydon Ennor, Ryan Crotty, George Bridge, Richie Mo'unga, Bryn Hall, Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd (c), Jordan Taufua, Quinten...

Scott Scrafton is actually playing this weekend for the Blues A team. His first game back since wrecking his knee in Round 3 Super Rugby last year.

The word is Perofeta's injury is long term - coach MacDonald said 16 weeks.

Blues named. Very interesting to see Ruru at 9 and Pulu on the bench. Ruru has a real opportunity in this game. 15 Michael Collins, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Otere Black, 9 Jonathan Ruru; 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4...

A week or so ago they said Gibson would be out a month so I'd say it's likely Gibson will either be back Round 4 after the Blues trip to RSA or Round 6 after the Blues bye. Faiane is pretty much a 12 only - I can't really remember him ever starting a game at centre. Having said that, your...

Highlanders: Ben Smith (co-captain), Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Tevita Li, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington, Luke Whitelock (co-captain), James Lentjes, Jackson Hemopo, Josh Dickson, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Daniel...

Sounds like Perofeta will be out for several weeks with injury. That lad just can't stay fit. The good news for the Blues is that Otere Black and Plummer are better 10s than the Blues have had for quite a while. The bad news is it probably means Collins will get first crack at the 15 shirt.

Having a new head coach who specializes in looking after the attack should help whoever is at 10.