Caleb Clarke Returns for Moana Pasifika Vs Blues at North Harbour Stadium
Caleb Clarke is back in the Blues starting side for moana pasifika vs blues on Saturday night, returning from a calf injury to line up on the left wing. The Round 12 match at North Harbour Stadium gives the Blues a changed backline and pack after their golden point win over the Reds at Super Round.
Clarke Returns For Blues
Clarke’s return is the headline selection in a side that also hands starts to Kurt Eklund at hooker, Torian Barnes at blindside and Xavi Taele at centre. Sam Nock starts at halfback with Stephen Perofeta at first five, while Pita Ahki moves into the second-five role.
Ben Ake and Marcel Renata keep their places at prop, and Anton Segner shifts to openside flanker in place of Dalton Papali’i. The Blues loose forward is unavailable because of concussion, leaving Vern Cotter to reshuffle the forwards again for a physical Moana Pasifika challenge.
Cotter’s Selection Mix
Cotter said the group has room to grow after last week’s result. “We’ve made a few changes this week, but there’s a good balance in the group. It’s an opportunity for some players to step up, and we’ve got experience around them to provide stability,” he said.
He also pointed to the 80-minute standard the Blues still want to reach. “We were pleased to get the result down in Christchurch, but we know there’s plenty to improve on. We still need to build on our consistency for the full 80 minutes and that will be key for us this week.”
North Harbour Stadium Bench
The bench includes Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett, along with AJ Lam and two players in line for their first Blues appearances: Flyn Yates and Terrell Peita. That gives the squad cover across the spine and back line while keeping fresh options available if the match turns tight.
Cotter also warned that Moana Pasifika can punish any lapse. “Moana Pasifika are a dangerous side when they get momentum. They’re physical, they offload well, and they’ll test us if we’re not accurate.” Saturday’s match kicks off at 7.05pm NZT in Albany, with the Blues carrying a revised Round 12 team into one of the season’s sharpest local matchups.
