Blues set for qualifying Final in CHCH

The Blues are hunting a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific semi finals as they go head-to-head with the Crusaders in Saturday’s Qualifying Final at ONE NZ Stadium.

Prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi is set to become the most capped player in club history, named to run out in his 165th appearance for the Blues, surpassing former legend Keven Mealamu (164).

The milestone comes in a huge finals fixture for the veteran front rower, who made his Blues debut in 2013 and has established himself as one of the club’s most respected figures over more than a decade in blue.

The Blues have been given another boost this week with the return of captain Patrick Tuipulotu (neck) and hooker Bradley Slater (concussion).

Stephen Perofeta starts again at first five, while Beauden Barrett remains sidelined by a quad strain.

Young hooker Eli Oudenryn keeps his place in the matchday 23 after an impressive debut that saw him score a try off the bench in Hamilton, while Payton Spencer comes in to join the reserves.

Head coach Vern Cotter said his side was excited by the opportunity of finals rugby.

“Finals rugby is where you find out a lot about yourselves as a group. We’ve worked hard to get here and now it’s about embracing the challenge that comes with a high stakes game,” he said.

“The Crusaders have consistently been one of the benchmark teams in this competition and we know exactly what awaits us in Christchurch. The key is staying focused on our roles, bringing energy to the contest and backing the work we’ve put in throughout the season.”

Blues Team - Qualifying Final vs Crusaders
4.35pm (NZT), Saturday 6 June in Christchurch

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (164)
2. Bradley Slater (9)
3. Marcel Renata (79)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) (129)
5. Sam Darry (47)
6. Torian Barnes (12)
7. Anton Segner (52)
8. Malachi Wrampling (8)
9. Sam Nock (89)
10. Stephen Perofeta (80)
11. Caleb Clarke (87)
12. Pita Ahki (26)
13. Xavi Taele (19)
14. AJ Lam (72)
15. Zarn Sullivan (55)

Reserves: 16. Eli Oudenryn (1), 17. Mason Tupaea (22), 18. Flyn Yates (4), 19. Josh Beehre (38), 20. Hoskins Sotutu (90), 21. Finlay Christie (82), 22. Corey Evans (28), 23. Payton Spencer (3)

Players unavailable due to injury: Ben Ake (ankle), Beauden Barrett (quad), James Cameron (legs, season), Cameron Christie (knee, season), Hemopo Cunningham (foot, season), Kurt Eklund (back), Joshua Fusitu’a (hamstring), Jordan Lay (concussion), Sam Matenga (neck), Dalton Papali’i (jaw)