Blues v Highlanders - 11 March

INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME | SATURDAY 11 MARCH 2017

BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS

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Away from match day we Investec Super Rugby season. A hope you stay connected with special thank you goes to Principal the team through our regular Partner nib and all our commercial communications, social media partners and Members for their channels and free public events. support, including those that We also hope you can support our joined with us for the first time this new community initiative; Best season.

Foot Forward, where we recycle 2017 is shaping up to be an used boots and provide them to historic year with our first ever young local players in need.

Super Rugby games in Apia and Check our website for all the Tokyo and a match against the details including the upcoming touring British and Irish Lions in Investec Limited and its subsidiaries, including Investec Bank Limited - 1969/004763/06 Blues in the Burbs events June. We know expectations are throughout Auckland over the high this year and while we can Esse 16 11682 Investec Match day Programme_Blues.indd 1 17/02/2016 17:14 coming weeks. never make predictions about results be assured every person in Kind regards the club is strongly performance focussed, on and off the field.

Home advantage is tremendously important to our players and they get a great lift playing in front MICHAEL REDMAN of our passionate supporters at CHIEF EXECUTIVE home. We continue to work with It’s time for another epic season of Investec Super Rugby. With 18 teams competing in the gruelling tournament, we look forward to many action-packed encounters.

For the seventh consecutive year, Investec has been the title sponsor of all games played in New Zealand.

As enablers of international rugby, we are pleased to see the tournament’s growing geographical interest and reach. We look forward

to exciting, fiercely contested matches, made up of many Out of the Ordinary moments.

We wish all teams the best.

Game on.

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BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 3

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Blues VS Highlanders

THE LAST TIME WE MET

All photos © Copyright Photosport Ltd 2016 www.photosport.nz

It was the first match of the 2016 Investec Super Rugby season.

The much-fancied Highlanders were looking to kick off their title defence with a win, while the battling Blues were looking to do the same under new coach Tana Umaga.

Buoyed by the balmy late February weather and the promise of some quality rugby, a bumper crowd of fans flocked to the Garden of Eden to see some hard-hitting and fast-running rugby.

They didn’t have to wait long.

Within eight minutes, Highlanders’ fullback Ben Smith scores the first try of the season, putting his side ahead early.

The Blues reply ten minutes later. Melani Nanai scores on the back of an Ihaia West kick down field, which is collected by flying winger Lolagi Visinia, who puts his fullback into space.

Continues page 7 »

BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 5

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Continued from page 5 It’s a lovely try, soon overshadowed by arguably the best try of the match. Young flanker Blake Gibson bulldozes through Ben Smith, trailing three other Highlanders players in his wake.

But two quick Highlanders tries late in the half – both the result of turnover possession and strong defence – give them the 24-20 half time advantage.

The injection of Akira Ioane, Charlie Faumuina and Rene Ranger spark a physical second half by the Blues, with the boot of West giving the home side the lead again at 26-24, off the back of some bruising play and a series of penalties against the Highlanders.

It was capped when winger Patrick Osborne was yellow carded with 10 minutes to play. The Blues smashed forward with player-ofthe-day Patrick Tuipulotu powering over by the posts for a 33-24 lead.

But it was game on when Smith answered in the corner three minutes from time, his try was converted by Hayden Parker. The Blues pushed back on to attack and held on for a telling victory.

The Tana Umaga era was off with a bang. “It was a brutal battle and one we are very glad to come out the right side of,” he said after the game. “They threw a lot at us but we showed enough determination and patience to wear them down.”

We’re looking forward to the sequel at Eden Park on Saturday.

BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 7

Q&A Talented first five-eighth Ihaia West is back in 2017 and rearing to go. Since the last time we saw him in a Blues jersey, the Hawkes Bay native has represented his home province in the Mitre 10 Cup and been on tour with the New Zealand Maori. We caught up with him ahead of our first home game of the season.

Tell us something not many people know about you I played representative cricket for Central Districts growing up, before choosing to specialise in rugby during my last year of school.

What has been your career highlight to date?

Playing for the New Zealand Maori – I’m so proud every time I get to wear that black jersey.

And also winning the Ranfurly Shield with Hawke’s Bay. What’s your earliest rugby memory?

Bare feet, early morning, on the freezing grass at Anderson Park in Havelock North.

Who was your sporting idol when you were a kid?

Jared Cunningham, who’s from

IHAIA WEST

FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH 1.75M | 84KG | 25YR

Havelock North as well, and also played for Hawke’s Bay and the Blues. He was the super star at our club, and was always helping out the young fullas. I always looked up to him.

Describe yourself in three words Short but handsome.

What’s your favourite place in Auckland?

Mercury Plaza. The boys like to go there at least once a week.

Do you have any match day superstitions?

Not hard out, but, like, I always put on my left sock on before my right – it’s the same with my boots. Left is always first.

Who on the team will always make you laugh?

Rene Ranger, because he’s always a bit of a clown.

Finally, what’s your rugby priority in 2017?

We all want to achieve the same thing this year and that’s to play finals footy. So my aim is to cement the number 10 jersey and just do whatever I’ve got to do to help us get there.

BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 9

Best Foot Forward DONATE YOUR BOOTS TO KIDS IN NEED The Blues are calling on the public to help us provide rugby boots to the disadvantaged kids in our community who need them the most.

Together with Yakult and rugby legend Keven Mealamu, we’ve started the Best Foot Forward programme – or ‘BFF’ for short – to collect and clean pre-loved boots, and then redistribute them to worthy recipients at clubs and schools in our region.

« Look out for our BFF collection bins if you'd like to donate your old boots!

Blues players have already donated their own boots to the cause, but we need even more if we’re going to help break down one of the biggest barriers to deprived children playing sport.

“We don’t want youngsters to miss out on the joys of team sport because of financial reasons,” said Mealamu, “especially when good boots are being chucked out or left lying in wardrobes all over Auckland.”

So dig out the old boots that are going to waste at the back of your closet and bring them along to one of our home games. There will be blue BFF collection bins at Eden Park and QBE Stadium, as well as at the Blues High Performance Centre in Epsom.

Continues page 19 »

BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 1 1

hirabhana.co.nz

PLAYER STATS Pauliasi Manu James Parsons

184 M | 115 KG | 29 YR | 7 CAPS

1.85 M | 106 KG | 31 YR | 65 (64 SR) CAPS

Charlie Faumuina

Jimmy Tupou

1.85 M | 125 KG | 30 YR | 89 CAPS

196 M | 109 KG | 24 YR | 2 CAPS

Patrick Tuipulotu

Jerome Kaino

1.98 M | 120 KG | 24 YR | 35 CAPS

1.96 M | 109 KG | 33 YR | 119 CAPS

Blake Gibson

Murphy Taramai

1.86 M | 102 KG | 21 YR | 15 CAPS

1.87 M | 98 KG | 25 YR | 1 CAP

Augustine Pulu

Ihaia West

189 M | 90 KG | 27 YR | 2 CAPS

1.75 M | 84 KG | 25 YR | 39 CAPS

Rene Ranger

George Moala

1.83 M | 102 KG | 30 YR | 73 CAPS

1.88 M | 99 KG | 26 YR | 55 (54 SR) CAPS

Rieko Ioane

Matt Duffie

1.88 M | 103 KG | 19 YR | 7 CAPS

1.92 M | 92 KG | 26 YR | 9 CAPS

Michael Collins

Matt Moulds

187 M | 94 KG | 23 YR | 2 CAPS

1.88 M | 107 KG | 25 YR | 6 CAPS

Sam Prattley

Ofa Tu'ungafasi

1.96M | 116KG | 27 YR | 36 (35 SR) CAPS

1.95 M | 129 KG | 24 YR | 44 (43 SR) CAPS

Gerard Cowley-Tuioti

Akira Ioane

1.96 M | 110 KG | 24 YR | 3 CAPS

1.94 M | 113 KG | 22 YR | 19 CAPS

Billy Guyton

Piers Francis

1.86 M | 90 KG | 33 YR | 15 (17 SR) CAPS

1.82 M | 92 KG | 26 YR | 13 CAPS

Melani Nanai 1.94 M | 90 KG | 23 YR | 26 CAPS

BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 1 3

COACH

BLUE HIGHLA

ASSISTANT COACHES

Tana Umaga

Alistair Rogers Steve Jackson Dave Ellis

MANAGER Richard Fry

15

Michael Collins

14

Matt Duffie

13

7.35pm SATURDA EDEN

Rieko Ioane

12

George Moala

11

Rene Ranger

10

Ihaia West

9

Augustine Pulu

8

Murphy Taramai

7

Blake Gibson

6 RESERVES 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Matt Moulds Sam Prattley Ofa Tu'ungafasi Gerard Cowley-Tuioti Akira Ioane Billy Guyton Piers Francis Melani Nanai

Jerome Kaino

5

Patrick Tuipolotu

4

Jimmy Tupou

3

Charlie Faumuina

2

James Parsons

1

Pauliasi Manu

REFE

Glen Ja

ASSISTANT

Brendon Angus

TM

Shane Mc

ES VS ANDERS

ASSISTANT COACHES Mark Hammett Scott McLeod Jon Preston

ackson

T REFEREES

n Pickerill Mabey

MO

cDermott

MANAGER Paul McLaughlan

15

Richard Buckman

14

Waisake Naholo

AY 11 MARCH 2017 PARK

EREE

COACH Tony Brown

13

Malakai Fekitoa

12

Rob Thompson

11

Tevita Li

10

Lima Sopoaga

9

Aaron Smith

8

Luke Whitelock

7

Elliot Dixon

6

Gareth Evans

5

Tom Franklin

4

Alex Ainley

3

Siosuia Halanukonuka

2

Liam Coltman Daniel Lienert-Brown

1

RESERVES

Junior Pole Aki Seiuli Siate Tokolahi Joe Wheeler Jackson Hemopo Dillon Hunt Kayne Hammington Marty Banks

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

PLAYER STATS Daniel Lienert-Brown 1.84 M | 112 KG | 24 YR | 28 CAPS

Liam Coltman

Siosuia Halanukonuka

1.85 M | 109 KG | 27 YR | 56 CAPS

1.86M | 120 KG | 31 YR | 14 CAPS

Alex Ainley

Tom Franklin

1.97 M | 109 KG | 36 YR | 19 CAPS

1.99 M | 110 KG | 27 YR | 38 CAPS

Gareth Evans

Elliot Dixon

1.90 M | 105 KG | 26 YR | 29 CAPS

1.93 M | 109 KG | 28 YR | 65 CAPS

Luke Whitelock

Aaron Smith

1.90 M | 104 KG | 26 YR | 62 CAPS

1.71 M | 83 KG | 29 YR | 94 CAPS

Lima Sopoaga

Tevita Li

1.75 M | 91 KG | 26 YR | 65 CAPS

1.82 M | 95 KG | 22 YR | 30 CAPS

Rob Thompson

Malakai Fekitoa

1.84 M | 103 KG | 26 YR | 11 CAPS

1.87 M | 99 KG | 25 YR | 49 CAPS

Waisake Naholo

Richard Buckman

1.86 M | 96 KG | 26 YR | 28 CAPS

1.84 M | 98 KG | 28 YR | 33 CAPS

Junior Pole

Aki Seiuli

N/A

1.84 M | 116 KG | 25 YR | 7 CAPS

Siate Tokolahi

Joe Wheeler

1.84 M | 116 KG | 25 YR | 28 CAPS

2.00 M | 111 KG | 30 YR | 52 CAPS

Jackson Hemopo

Dillon Hunt

1.95 M | 112 KG | 24 YR | 1 CAP

N/A

Kayne Hammington

Marty Banks

1.70 M | 75 KG | 27 YR | 5 CAPS

N/A

1 6 BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17

» Continued from page 11 February and March will be the core collection time. The Blues players themselves will be actively involved in cleaning and distributing the boots in late March and April.

Yakult Director, Sales and Corporate Affairs David Whatley commented: “As a company we believe it’s important to contribute back to the community you’re engaged with.

“Given our focus is on health and wellbeing, we are delighted to support a project that will help more youngsters get active and enjoy the passion for rugby shared by all New Zealanders.”

Blues General Manager Brand & Community, Robyn Rowley added: “Every day the Blues strive to put their best foot forward in training and in life… and that’s what they’ll be urging and inspiring the boots’ new owners to do as well.”

Blues players preparing and cleaning donated rugby boots »

BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17 1 9

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PLAY ON

W I N E S

FUTURE BLUES

BLUES CLUBHOUSES

2017 STANDINGS NZ CONFERENCE

P

W

D

L

F

A

DIF

BP

PTS

HURRICANES CHIEFS CRUSADERS BLUES HIGHLANDERS

2 2 2 2 2

2 2 2 1 0

0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 2

154 65 47 82 42

23 41 40 59 54

131 24 7 23 -12

2 2 0 1 1

10 10 8 5 1

AUS CONFERENCE

P

W

D

L

F

A

DIF

BP

PTS

FORCE REDS WARATAHS BRUMBIES REBELS

2 2 2 2 2

1 1 1 0 0

0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 2 2

39 47 55 35 24

38 52 68 44 127

1 -5 -13 -9 -103

1 1 0 2 0

5 5 4 2 0

SA CONFERENCE 1

P

W

D

L

F

A

DIF

BP

PTS

STORMERS CHEETAHS BULLS SUNWOLVES

2 2 2 2

2 1 0 0

0 0 0 0

0 1 2 2

69 59 52 40

49 56 71 120

20 3 -19 -80

0 1 1 0

8 5 1 0

SA CONFERENCE 2

P

W

D

L

F

A

DIF

BP

PTS

LIONS JAGUARES SHARKS KINGS

2 2 2 2

2 1 1 1

0 0 0 0

0 1 1 1

83 64 53 63

61 58 50 62

22 6 3 1

1 1 1 0

9 5 5 4

OVERALL

HURRICANES (NZ LEADER) LIONS (SA2 LEADER) STORMERS (SA1 LEADER) FORCE (AUS LEADER) CHIEFS CRUSADERS BLUES JAGUARES REDS SHARKS CHEETAHS KINGS WARATAHS BRUMBIES HIGHLANDERS BULLS REBELS SUNWOLVES ©PHOTOSPORT

2 2 BLUES VS HIGHL ANDERS | 11 MARCH 20 17

PTS

10 9 8 5 10 8 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 2 1 1 0 0

2017 FIXTURES MATCH RESULT

ROUND 3 MATCHES

1

REBELS VS BLUES

2

CHIEFS VS BLUES

3

BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS

4

CRUSADERS VS BLUES

5

BLUES VS BULLS

-

6

BLUES VS FORCE

-

7

HIGHLANDERS VS BLUES

-

8

BLUES VS HURRICANES

-

10

BRUMBIES VS BLUES

-

11

WARATAHS VS BLUES

-

12

BLUES VS CHEETAHS

-

13

STORMERS VS BLUES

-

14

BLUES VS CHIEFS

-

15

BLUES VS REDS

-

17

SUNWOLVES VS BLUES

-

ROUND

Thu 23 Feb | AAMI Park | 9:45PM Fri 3 Mar | FMG Stadium | 7:35PM Sat 11 Mar | Eden Park | 7:35PM

Fri 17 Mar | AMI Stadium | 7:35PM Sat 25 Mar | QBE Stadium | 7:35PM Sat 1 Apr | Eden Park | 5:15PM Sat 8 Apr | Forsyth Barr | 7:35PM Sat 15 Apr | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sun 30 Apr | GIO Stadium | 6:05PM Sat 6 May | Allianz Stadium | 9:45PM Fri 12 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM Fri 19 May | Newlands, Cape Town | 5:00AM Fri 26 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM Fri 2 Jun | Apia Park, Samoa | 7:35PM Sat 15 Jul | Chichibunomiya Stadium | 3:05PM

W

18-56

CHIEFS V HURRICANES

L

41-26

BRUMBIES V FORCE

10 Mar | Hamilton | 7:35PM

10 Mar | Canberra | 9:45PM

-

BLUES V HIGHLANDERS

-

REDS V CRUSADERS

11 Mar | Auckland | 7:35PM

11 Mar | Brisbane | 9:45PM

KINGS V STORMERS

12 Mar | Port Elizabeth | 2:05AM

CHEETAHS V SUNWOLVES 12 Mar | Bloemfontein | 4:15AM

SHARKS V WARATAHS 12 Mar | Durban | 6:30AM

JAGUARES V LIONS

12 Mar | Buenos Aires | 8:40AM

©PHOTOSPORT

BLUES VS BRUMBIES | 8 JULY 2016 23

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