Tu’ungafasi marks 150th cap in powerful Blues line-up for Eden Park opener

The Blues have named a powerful team with eight All Blacks in the starting line-up for the opening round of the Super Rugby Pacific Championship when they host the Chiefs at their fortress of Eden Park on Saturday.

The team will be led out by All Black prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who will celebrate his 150th game for the Blues, only the second player to achieve 150 games for the club, behind Keven Mealamu on 164 caps.

The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific Champions can call on plenty of proven performers with Head Coach Vern Cotter clear on their direction for the season.

“The team can draw confidence from the championship title last year, but this is 2025, a new season and we all start on zero points,” said Cotter.

“There is no magic formula, just loads of hard work, clarity of roles and game plan, and execution.

“This group of men has talent to burn. If we can harness it in one clear direction, then there is no reason why we cannot prosper this year.

“The team is excited to start the season at our fortress of Eden Park with our fans out in force to support us.”

The pack will be led by skipper Patrick Tuipulotu and fellow All Blacks Tu’ungafasi and Dalton Papali’i with the welcome return of powerful loose forward Cameron Suafoa.

There is experience and class in the backs, with All Blacks Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Tele’a and Caleb Clarke who boast almost 500 Super Rugby appearances between them.

There are two potential debutantes in the reserves in former New Zealand Sevens representative Che Clark and hooker Nathaniel Pole, a New Zealand Under-20 representative, who has come through the Blues pathway programme.

The match kicks off at 7.05pm on Saturday, with tickets from $19 (adults) and $10 (children) from Blues.flicket.co.nz

The Blues team is:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Ricky Riccitelli, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Laghlan McWhannell, 5. Patrick Tuipulotu ©, 6. Anton Segner, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Cameron Suafoa, 9. Taufa Funaki, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. AJ Lam, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele’a, 15. Beauden Barrett.

Reserves: 16. Nathaniel Pole, 17. Josh Fusitua, 18. Angus Ta’avao, 19. Che Clark, 20. Adrian Choat, 21. Fin Christie, 22. Corey Evans, 23. Cole Forbes.

Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), James Mullan (concussion), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), PJ Sheck (shoulder), Hoskins Sotutu (knee), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder).

MATCH DAY INFORMATION:

17:00 - Box office opens

17:15 - Gate A opens

17:30 - Gates open

17:30 - Blue Mile - Blues Players arrive at Gate A, welcome the team off the bus as they walk through the concourse.

17:55 – Little Blues (Sunnyhills School v Favona, Willowpark v Cornwall Park District School, Henderson Intermediate v Remuera Intermediate, Swanson School v Te Atatu Intermediate)

18:50 - Opening Performance - You don't want to miss this!

19:05 - Blues v Chiefs

Half-time – Mascot Race

TICKET OFFERS: Blue Zone, North Stand - Adults $19; East Stand - Adults $20 & Kids $10. Kids Combos in the North, South and East Stands - grab a seat, chips or hotdog and a drink from $18. Blues.flicket.co.nz

CONCOURSE ACTIVATIONS: Barfoot & Thompson Tattoo Parlour, Chemist Warehouse Passing Cage & Giveaways, The Rock Hanging Bar, Facepainting, Photo station

LIVE IN-SEAT COMMENTARY: Spectators can listen to live audio commentary from their mobile phone using 4G. Livefeed offers near real-time audio, ensuring you never miss a single try, penalty or ref’s call. Just head to blues.livefeed.fm at the stadium. Please use ear-plugs or headset.

BLUES MERCH: Purchase online so you’re ready to show your support – head to shop.blues.rugby or check out our merchandise outlets at Eden Park.

BLUES MASCOT: First match day for new Blues Mascot, Kahurangi

TRANSPORT: Getting to and from the game. Please allow yourself enough time to get to Eden Park and remember that Parking Restrictions apply around the surrounding streets.

Standard fees apply for travel on public transport. To plan your travel, check out the Auckland Transport event page https://at.govt.nz/bus-train-ferry/events/ Children under 5 travel free. Children aged 5 to 15 can travel for free on weekends and public holidays with a registered HOP card. Free weekend fares are applied automatically when you register your AT HOP card with the child's correct date of birth.