Blues set for test against Brumbies

The Blues are primed for their second successive game on the road in Australia as they go up against the top of the table Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night.

Coming off a win over the Force in Round 2, the team has remained in Australia this week to prepare for the match-up.

Captain Dalton Papali’i will bring up a major career milestone in his 100th appearance for the club after making his debut in 2017.

There’s a reshuffle in the front row with Joshua Fusitu’a ruled out with an elbow injury, as Ofa Tu’ungafasi moves to loosehead prop while Kurt Eklund comes in to start at hooker.

The clash will see lock Sam Darry return to the starting XV after missing last week’s match following a head knock against the Chiefs.

The backline remains unchanged for the third straight game.

Head coach Vern Cotter said the trip to Canberra presented another exciting challenge.

“The Brumbies are well organised and have started their season well. They will be tough competitors, particularly at home, but we are up for the challenge,” he said.

“Winning collisions and staying in the game for 80 minutes is key for us. We’ve shown improvements across the first two weeks and I think we can go a lot further.”

The match kicks off at 9.35pm (NZT) on Saturday night, with live coverage on Sky Sport.

Blues Team - Round 3 vs Brumbies
9.35pm (NZT), Saturday 28 February

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (155)
2. Kurt Eklund (74)
3. Marcel Renata (68)
4. Laghlan McWhannell (25)
5. Sam Darry (35)
6. Anton Segner (39)
7. Dalton Papali’i (c) (99)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (81)
9. Finlay Christie (71)
10. Stephen Perofeta (74)
11. Caleb Clarke (77)
12. Pita Ahki (15)
13. AJ Lam (60)
14. Cole Forbes (32)
15. Zarn Sullivan (44)

Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater (2), 17. Mason Tupaea (10), 18. Sam Matenga (-), 19. Josh Beehre (29), 20. Torian Barnes (2), 21. Taufa Funaki (33), 22. Xavi Taele (7), 23. Codemeru Vai (2)

Players not considered due to injury: Cameron Christie (knee, season), Corey Evans (ankle), Joshua Fusitu’a (elbow), Jordan Lay (concussion), Payton Spencer (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Flyn Yates (neck)