INVESTEC SUPER RUGBY OFFICIAL MATCH PROGRAMME | SATURDAY 19 MAY 2018
BLUES VS crusaders
JHB 62068/OJ
The Goose Step instead of a pass
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JHB 62132/OJ
Welcome Investec Super Rugby | Top 15 It’s time for another round of top quality rugby as we look forward to the 2018 season of Investec Super Rugby. The Crusaders will be defending their title of champions against some of the fiercest competition in the code. For the eighth consecutive year, Investec is the title sponsor of all games played in New Zealand. As enablers of international rugby, we are thrilled to continue our association with this prestigious competition. We look forward to the contests among the best of the southern hemisphere’s clubs, and wish all players and supporters well. Regards Malcolm Fried
About Investec Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a select client base in three principal markets – the UK and Europe, South Africa and Asia/Australia as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently has approximately 9 900 employees. Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in three core areas of activity namely: Asset Management, Wealth & Investment and Specialist Banking. In July 2002 the Investec group implemented a dual listed company structure with listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The combined group’s current market capitalisation is approximately GBP 5.89 billion.
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MATCH PREVIEW:
blues vs crusaders HEAD TO HEAD 2018 STATS RANK 11
24.0
POINTS PER GAME
31.7
RANK 3
RANK 12
75%
GOAL KICKING %
75%
RANK 11
RANK 5
450.5
METRES MADE
433.5
RANK 11
RANK 8
11.5
CLEAN BREAKS
11.9
RANK 7
RANK 2
26.5
DEFENDERS BEATEN
22.1
RANK 12
RANK 2
12.7
OFFLOADS
8.3
RANK 8
RANK 3
7.8
TURNOVERS WON
6.0
RANK 13
OVERALL HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS OVERALL GAMES: 30
11 WINS
19 WINS BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18 5
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ORBYN LEGER
A Big Tick in the Leger A young man who came into the Blues as a two-week replacement and has now earned five caps as a starter including an eye-catching try. Twenty-one-year-old Orbyn Leger from Counties Manukau has earned his stripes not only with his excellent performances on the park, but his impressive work ethic on the training ground. Leger was originally from West Auckland before the family moved when his mother became a teacher at Wesley College and his father – a former Counties Manukau and Tonga midfielder – became the 1st XV coach. “I started playing rugby when I was five and played my early club for Pukekohe,” Orbyn said.
His parents gave him a choice of high schools, and with both parents heavily involved at Wesley, he decided to head to Hamilton Boys as a boarder. “I thought it would be good to start on my own and learn to cope on my own.” He advanced to the 1st XV and on leaving school, had the choice of rugby academies in the Waikato, Counties or Auckland. “I choose Counties because there was a scholarship with it to AUT,” said Leger who is completing a Bachelor's Degree in Sport. “And there were lots of familiar faces there.” After strong performances for the Counties side at the Under-19 national tournament, he forced his way into selection last year for the New Zealand Under-20s successful tilt at the world championship title. That led to selection in
the Counties Manukau team for the Mitre-10 Cup. And then he was asked to come in pre-season as a short-term replacement in the Blues side. He has earned a starting role alongside Rieko Ioane and then with Sonny Bill Williams. “I was pretty, star-struck to tell the truth. I thought holy cow. But Sonny was awesome – he’s a good talker and helped me find my feet. I have learned so much from both of them.” The highlight was his superb try against the Hurricanes when he received a typical brilliant pass in traffic from Sonny. “I knew he would get free for something during the game so I stuck around and kept close to him.” Orbyn has loved his opportunity and the experience in Super Rugby – something he hopes will grow to a full contract in 2019.
BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18 7
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LEON MACDONALD
Excited By Blues Challenge The 56-Test All Black, and current Tasman coach Leon MacDonald is already excited about his move to the Blues for the 2019 Super Rugby season. Leon was named this week as the assistant coach for the Blues under coach Tana Umaga for 2019. In fact he played for the Crusaders in 2003 Super Rugby final, when the Blues won the title, and remembers that moment and the successful Blues teams of that era. "The Blues teams that we encountered they were physical and they were abrasive and they were nearly impossible to beat at home. I've seen what the Blues can be like and it's fresh in my memory, so to be sitting inside this room is a little bit surreal to a degree, but it only takes one day to start rubbing shoulders and you become really passionate about your team and I'm looking forward to meeting the players here.
"I can't wait to be involved coaching a team at Eden Park as the home ground." After one year as an assistant coach for the Crusaders, Leon returned to his home in Blenheim, but nearly two years on, the time was right for him to move. “In terms of a rugby challenge then this is the biggest and best there is. The Blues have not performed to their potential and I am excited by that challenge. The talent here is huge, I am encouraged by the number of key players who are signing on for long periods at the Blues. The facilities at the Blues are outstanding and the support here is impressive. “It is also the right time for my wife and my family – so they are looking forward to it.” He will take on the reins as back attack coach which was a key to his decision. “That is the role that I am passionate about.” It will also reunite Leon and Tana who coached together in the successful New Zealand Under-20 world championship winning side of 2015. He will coach Tasman in this year’s Mitre-10 Cup before heading north.
BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18 9
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PLAYER STATS Pauliasi Manu James Parsons
1.84 M | 115 KG | 30 YR | 28 BLUES SR CAPS
1.85 M | 106 KG | 31 YR | 88 BLUES SR CAPS
Ofa Tuungafasi
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
1.95 M | 129 KG | 25 YR | 62 BLUES SR CAPS
1.96 M | 112 KG | 25 YR | 23 BLUES SR CAPS
Matiaha Martin
Jerome Kaino
2.01 M | 112 KG | 25 YR
1.96 M | 109 KG | 34 YR | 134 BLUES SR CAPS
Dalton Papalii
Akira Ioane
1.91 M | 95 KG | 20 YR | 5 BLUES SR CAPS
1.94 M | 113 KG | 23 YR | 42 BLUES SR CAPS
Augustine Pulu
Stephen Perofeta
1.80 M | 89 KG | 28 YR | 19 BLUES SR CAPS
1.80 M | 85 KG | 21 YR | 10 BLUES SR CAPS
Rieko Ioane
Sonny Bill Williams
1.88 M | 103 KG | 20 YR | 30 BLUES SR CAPS
1.91 M | 108 KG | 32 YR | 10 BLUES SR CAPS
Orbyn Leger
Melani Nanai
1.83 M | 89 KG | 21 YR | 5 BLUES SR CAPS
1.94 M | 90 KG | 24 YR | 44 BLUES SR CAPS
Matt Duffie
Matt Moulds
1.92 M | 92 KG | 27 YR | 30 BLUES SR CAPS
1.88 M | 108 KG | 26 YR | 19 BLUES SR CAPS
Ross Wright
Sione Mafileo
1.80 M | 116 KG | 31 YR | 9 BLUES SR CAPS
1.77 M | 130 KG | 25 YR | 27 BLUES SR CAPS
Ben Nee-Nee
Murphy Taramai
2.00 M | 115 KG | 24 YR | 4 BLUES SR CAPS
1.87 M | 98 KG | 25 YR | 16 BLUES SR CAPS
Jonathan Ruru
Daniel Kirkpatrick
1.83 M | 94 KG | 25 YR | 10 BLUES SR CAPS
1.81 M | 88 KG | 29 YR | 4 BLUES SR CAP
Michael Collins 1.87 M | 94 KG | 24 YR | 20 BLUES SR CAPS
BLUES VS HIGHL ANDDERS | 20 APRIL 20 18 1 1
COACH
BLUE crusa
ASSISTANT COACHES
Tana Umaga
Alistair Rogers Steve Jackson Dave Ellis
MANAGER Richard Fry
15
Matt Duffie
14
Melani Nanai
13
7.35pm SATURDA EDEN
Orbyn Leger
12
Sonny Bill Williams
11
Rieko Ioane
10
Stephen Perofeta
9
Augustine Pulu
8
Akira Ioane Dalton Papalii
7
(Murphy Taramai)
6 RESERVES 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Matt Moulds Ross Wright Sione Mafileo Ben Nee-Nee Murphy Taramai* Jonathan Ruru Daniel Kirkpatrick Michael Collins *(Antonio Kiri Kiri)
Jerome Kaino
5
Matiaha Martin
4
Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
3
Ofa Tuungafasi
2
James Parsons
1
Pauliasi Manu
REFE
Glen Ja
ASSISTANT
Cam S Angus
TM
Shane Mc
ES VS aders
ASSISTANT COACHES Brad Mooar Andrew Goodman Jason Ryan Ronan O'Gara
ackson
T REFEREES
Stone Mabey
MO
cDermott
MANAGER Shane Fletcher
15
David Havili
14
Seta Tamanivalu
DAY 19 MAY 2018 PARK
EREE
COACH Scott Robertson
13
Jack Goodhue
12
Ryan Crotty
11
George Bridge
10
Richie Mo'unga
9
Bryn Hall
8
Jordan Taufua
7
Matt Todd
6
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
5
Quinten Strange
4
Scott Barrett
3
Owen Franks
2
Codie Taylor Tim Perry
1
RESERVES
Andrew Makalio Wyatt Crockett Michael Alaalatoa Mitchell Dunshea Pete Samu Mitchell Drummond Mitchell Hunt Manasa Mataele
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
PLAYER STATS Tim Perry 1.88 M | 116 KG | 29 YR
Codie Taylor
Owen Franks
1.83 M | 106 KG | 27 YR
1.85 M | 118 KG | 30 YR
Scott Barrett
Quinten Strange
1.97 M | 112 KG | 24 YR
2.00 M | 108 KG | 21 YR
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis
Matt Todd
1.88 M | 104 KG | 26 YR
1.86 M | 105 KG | 30 YR
Jordan Taufua
Bryn Hall
1.82 M | 100 KG | 26 YR
1.83 M | 93 KG | 26 YR
Ritchie Mo'unga
George Bridge
1.79 M | 86 KG | 23 YR
1.85 M | 95 KG | 23 YR
Ryan Crotty
Jack Goodhue
1.81 M | 96 KG | 29 YR
1.87 M | 100 KG | 22 YR
Seta Tamanivalu
David Havili
1.89 M | 105 KG | 25 YR
1.84 M | 88 KG | 23 YR
Andrew Makalio
Wyatt Crockett
1.82 KG | 111 KG | 26 YR
1.93 M | 116 KG | 35 YR
Michael Alaalatoa
Mitchell Dunshea
1.90 M | 136 KG | 26 YR
1.96 M | 107 KG | 22 YR
Pete Samu
Mitchell Drummond
1.85 M | 101 KG | 26 YR
1.80 M | 84 KG | 24 YR
Mitchell Hunt
Manasa Mataele
1.74 M | 80 KG | 23 YR
1.85 M | 100 KG | 21 YR
1 4 BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18
*than the average carb content of leading NZ beer.
NEW
enter potato olympics BE IN TO WIN GROCERY VOUCHERS There’s a bundle of fun and a great game to watch when the Blues take on the Rebels after their bye week. The game, with the early kick-off of 5:15pm, is at Eden Park on Saturday 2 June – the final round of Super Rugby before the June International break.
With the early kick-off it is a perfect family outing so we’re offering free entry for one child with every paying adult. This is available for any seat; Bronze (GA), Silver, Gold or Platinum. Our Match Day sponsor is the super popular Bhana Family Farms – and they’ll be giving away 2.5kg bags of potatoes. What’s more we have the Potato Olympics at halftime – four families of four people (2 adults/2 kids) competing to win great grocery vouchers – everyone wins a prize. To enter email your contact details to
info@theblues.co.nz and enter 'Potato Olympics' in the email subject line. We’ll even have a MILO Fan Zone – where you can meet players, collect a free team poster and have a go at blending your own MILO drink on the MILO blender bikes. Get along for the pre-match and catch the return of the Little Blues Rugby thanks to our sponsor Barfoot & Thompson. Buy your tickets before gates open to save, and remember that travel on trains and special event buses to and from the match, is included with your match ticket.
BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18 1 7
MILO ÂŽ & Milk is a great nourishing drink which helps deliver essential nutrients for active kids.
Low GI
y erg d en e n i a sust to provide
Sourc e of Protein
* scles g mu n i w ro urish g to help no
8 Vit amins & Minerals *When MILOÂŽ and milk is consumed as part of a healthy diet containing a variety of foods.
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
MAJOR PARTNERS
OFFICIAL PARTNERS
PLAY ON
2018 STANDINGS NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE
CRUSADERS HURRICANES HIGHLANDERS CHIEFS BLUES AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE
WARATAHS REBELS REDS BRUMBIES SUNWOLVES SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE
LIONS JAGUARES BULLS SHARKS STORMERS
P
W
D
L
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
11 10 10 10 11
9 9 7 7 3
0 0 0 0 0
2 1 3 3 8
353 331 290 283 264
199 179 248 214 345
154 152 42 69 -81
6 5 4 3 5
42 41 32 31 17
P
W
D
L
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
10 11 10 10 10
5 5 4 3 1
1 0 0 0 0
4 6 6 7 9
298 294 198 207 240
262 327 303 254 398
36 -33 -105 -47 -158
4 5 1 3 2
26 25 17 16 6
P
W
D
L
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
12 11 11 11 12
6 6 5 4 5
0 0 0 1 0
6 5 6 6 7
380 257 297 329 303
345 304 296 328 330
43 -47 1 1 -27
7 0 4 6 2
31 24 24 24 23
OVERALL
CRUSADERS LIONS WARATAHS HURRICANES HIGHLANDERS CHIEFS REBELS JAGUARES BULLS SHARKS STORMERS BLUES REDS BRUMBIES SUNWOLVES
2 0 BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18
PTS
42 31 26 41 32 31 25 24 24 24 23 17 17 16 6
2018 FIXTURES ROUND
MATCH RESULT
2
HIGHLANDERS VS BLUES
3
BLUES VS CHIEFS
4
LIONS VS BLUES
5
STORMERS VS BLUES
7
BLUES VS SHARKS
8
CHIEFS VS BLUES
9
SUNWOLVES VS BLUES
10
BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS
11
BLUES VS JAGUARES
12
WARATAHS VS BLUES
13
BLUES VS HURRICANES
14
BLUES VS CRUSADERS
-
16
BLUES VS REBELS
-
17
BLUES VS REDS
-
18
HURRICANES VS BLUES
-
19
CRUSADERS VS BLUES
-
Fri 23 Feb | Forsyth Barr Stadium | 7:35PM Fri 2 Mar | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sun 11 Mar | Emirates Airlines Park | 4:15AM Sun 18 Mar | DHL Newlands | 2:05AM Sat 31 Mar | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 7 Apr | FMG Stadium | 7:35PM Sat 14 Apr | Chichibunomiya Stadium | 3:05PM Fri 20 Apr | Eden Park | 7:35PM
Sat 28 Apr | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 5 May | Allianz Stadium | 5:05PM Fri 11 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM
Sat 19 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM Fri 2 jun | Eden Park | 5:15PM Fri 29 Jun | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 7 Jul | Westpac Stadium | 7:35PM Sat 14 Jul | AMI Stadium | 7:35PM
ROUND 14 MATCHES
HURRICANES v REDS
L
41-34
L
21-27
W
35-38
L
37-20
WARATAHS V HIGHLANDERS
L
40-63
SHARKS V CHIEFS
L
21-19
LIONS V BRUMBIES
W
10-24
JAGUARES V BULLS
18 May | Wellington | 7:35 PM
SUNWOLVES V STORMERS 19 May | Hong Kong | 7:35 PM
BLUES V CRUSADERS
19 May | Auckland | 7:35 PM
19 May | Sydney | 9:45 PM
20 May | Durban | 1:05 AM
20 May | Johannesburg | 3:15 AM
20 May | Buenos Aires | 9:40 AM L
16-34
L
13-20
W
L
21-24
15-36
BLUES VS CRUSADERS | 19 MAY 20 18 2 1
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