Beauden Barrett Returns to No.10 as Blues Vs Hurricanes Loom
Beauden Barrett is back in the Blues’ No. 10 jersey for blues vs hurricanes at Eden Park this weekend, with Dalton Papali’i ruled out because of a jaw injury. The switch pushed Stephen Perofeta to the bench and set up a reshaped Blues matchday 23 for a home meeting with a Hurricanes side Vern Cotter described as being in top form.
Barrett Back at Eden Park
Barrett’s return is the headline change in the Blues’ starting XV. He goes straight back to fly-half, while Zarn Sullivan keeps the fullback role and Finlay Christie stays on the bench in a 6/2 split.
The backline was adjusted around that move. Xavi Taele comes in at centre, AJ Lam shifts to the right wing, Caleb Clarke starts on the left wing and Pita Ahki is named at inside centre. Sam Nock takes halfback duties.
Papali’i Out, Segner In
Dalton Papali’i’s jaw injury forced another change in the loose trio, with Anton Segner replacing him at openside flanker. That leaves the Blues with a different balance in the pack as they try to steady a side that Cotter said needed to be better after last week hurt.
Marcel Renata also returns from injury to start in the front row alongside Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Bradley Slater, while Patrick Tuipulotu and Sam Darry form the locking partnership. It is a full front-row reset around Renata’s comeback, but the Blues have kept the structure of the bench intact with Christie among the finishers.
Cotter’s Home Test
Cotter said the Blues needed to be sharper after round 13 and wanted a more accurate, physical performance on Saturday night. “Last week hurt, and the group knows we need to be better in the areas that matter. We’ve had a strong week of preparation, and there’s real intent around the way we want to play on Saturday night,” he said.
He also pointed to the opposition and the setting. “The Hurricanes are in top form, so we know the challenge in front of us and the focus is on delivering an accurate, physical performance.”
For the Blues, the immediate task is straightforward: get Barrett settled back at No. 10, protect the reshuffled midfield and loose trio, and use the home crowd Cotter said always gives the side a lift. “There’s always a lift playing at home. Our fans create a special atmosphere for the players, and we look forward to getting back out there in front of them again on Saturday,” he said.
