Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu makes shock return for Super Rugby Pacific final

Wednesday, 19 June 2024

The Blues have delivered a major surprise by naming skipper Patrick Tuipulotu to start at lock.

The Chiefs have scratched hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho.

Shaun Stevenson, who was a late withdrawal from the semi against the Hurricanes last weekend, has been listed at fullback by the Chiefs.

Skipper Patrick Tuipulotu has made a remarkable recovery from a knee injury to be named to start at lock for the Blues in the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday night.

The news is not nearly as good for Chiefs hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho.

He's been rubbed out of the big showdown at Eden Park in Auckland. An Achilles tendon has ended his dream of appearing in the match.

There's rarely a shortage of drama before a final. The Blues have already given the punters plenty to discuss by rushing back Tuipulotu.

Blues coach Vern Cotter said the decision to play the big second rower was made with careful medical consideration.

“Patty’s a Blues man through and through and came to us this week pretty keen to play in a grand final,” Cotter said.

“He tested the knee on Monday in the gym, then on the grass yesterday. He’s pulled up well and has the all-clear from our medical team – he’s a welcome addition to our pack, our talisman lock and leader.’’

Blues team doctor James McGarvey said the injury was a “known quantity’’ and he had been guided by Tuipulotu during the decision-making process.

“Patty felt good on Monday and with strapping found he was able do everything rugby related with minimal symptoms,’’ McGarvey said.

“Given it’s a final, he decided to try to work through the week and play.’’

Blues v Chiefs:

Saturday 7.05pm; Eden Park, Auckland

BLUES

If Blues captain Tuipulotu gets his hands on the Super Rugby Pacific trophy on Saturday night, the fairytale comeback would be complete.

Rated zero chance - or so were led to believe - of being involved in the final at Eden Park in Auckland, lock Tuipulotu is now set to get on the track against the Chiefs. Is it a miracle? No. But it's still a hell of a surprise.

The official message from the Blues after their win over the Fijian Drua in the quarterfinal on June 8 was that Tuipulotu would be unavailable for up to seven weeks because he had torn the medial ligament in his right knee.

It wasn't just bad news for the Blues.

There were also, potentially, ramifications for the All Blacks.

When Tuipulotu appeared at Blues training on Tuesday, the rumour mill went into overdrive. On Wednesday afternoon, all the innuendo and speculation was put to bed. The 43-test lock was ready to go.

He was out of action for less than two weeks. Tuipulotu has replaced Josh Beehre in the second row. The latter has been relegated to the bench in place of James Thompson.

The only change to the Blues' match-day 23 is in the reserves, with Bryce Heem taking the spot of Corey Evans.

The question, now, is whether Tuipulotu, a member of Blues teams since 2014, can go the distance. The Chiefs' forwards will be lining up to put his leg to the test. Then there's the matter of the game being played at a frantic speed.

The last thing Tuipulotu wants is to be lagging when tasked with getting quickly back into the defensive line.

Blues coach Cotter, predictably, has remained loyal to the majority of the team that beat the Brumbies in the semi last weekend.

Blues: Stephen Perofeta, Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Marcel Renata, Ricky Riccitelli, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Joshua Fusitu’a, Angus Ta’avao, Josh Beehre, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Cole Forbes.

CHIEFS

Hooker Taukei'aho was always going to be scratched by the Chiefs.

It was clear he was never going to be able to make a Lazarus-like comeback from the moment he felt pain in his lower leg in the semi against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

The Achilles tendon problem that forced Taukei'aho was always going to be a drama - everyone knows how long these injuries can take to heal.

Tyrone Thompson has been promoted into the starting team in Taukei'aho's absence.

Bradley Slater, who replaced the latter in Wellington but was forced to hobble around the field in the latter stages because of knee problem, has been listed on the bench.

This is a big talking point.

The Chiefs will hope Thompson doesn't get hurt early. Given they've named Slater in the match-day 23, they appear to be confident he can do the job if required. It could still be a gamble, however.

At least Slater will get the opportunity to join his team-mates on the grass.

Spare a thought for Taukei'aho. His injury not only robs him of an opportunity to play in the big dance, it's also likely to impact his chances of being named in the All Blacks squad on Monday.

Shaun Stevenson, who withdrew before the game against the Hurricanes because of a sore hamstring, has been listed in the No 15 jersey.

His decision to not play in Wellington forced Etene Nanai-Seturo to shift from the left wing to fullback, with Daniel Rona replacing him in the No 11 jersey.

Nanai-Seturo will start on the left wing against the Blues. Rona, who scored a try in the semi, returns to the reserves.

Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rameka Poihipi, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, Wallace Sititi, Luke Jacobson (capt), Samipeni Finau, Tupou Vaa’i, Jimmy Tupou, George Dyer, Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Jared Proffit, Reuben O’Neill, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Simon Parker, Xavier Roe, Quinn Tupaea, Daniel Rona.