The first match in Super Rugby Round 6 on Saturday is in Auckland where the Blues host Argentina’s Jaguares.
The Blues had a bye last week but before the bye they drew 25-all with the Reds in Brisbane Queensland.
The Jaguares were beaten 8-13 by the Stormers in Buenos Aires last week in what was arguably their worst performance yet.
The Jaguares have named an almost second string team for this week by making nine changes for the Blues.
There is an entirely new front row made up of Roberto Tejerizo, Julián Montoya and Ramiro Herrera.
Guido Petti returns to the second row while in the loose forwards Rodrigo Báez returns in the number 7 jersey.
Santiago González Iglesias comes in at ten replacing Nicolas Sanchez who rotates to the bench. Manuel Montero and Ramiro Moyano will make their Super Rugby debut while Emiliano Boffelli comes in on the wing.
The Blues have named English man Piers Francis in their starting team alongside Rene Ranger who returns to the side. The rest of the back line are the same players who travelled to the Reds last week.
Upfront James Parsons assumes the captaincy in the absence of the injured Jerome Kaino, with North Harbour prop Nick Mayhew given his first start to bolster up a scrum that will be tested against the Jaguares.
Joe Edwards starts in the place of Kaino on the side of the scrum with Akira Ioane to provide thrust off the bench.
After starting in each of the first four games, prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and midfielder George Moala will come off the bench.
The Blues and the Jaguares have never played each other before so there are no records to use to look at past form.
This Match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on Sky Sports 3.
Average score:N/A
No Results
Blues record against the Jaguares
N/A
Match No.44: Blues v Jaguares
Date : Saturday 2 April 2016
Venue : QBE Stadium, North Harbour
Kick Off local: 19:35 local
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 1:Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant Ref 2:Angus Mabey
TMO :Ben Skeen
Teams
Blues
Nic Mayhew, James Parsons (c), Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Joe Edwards, Blake Gibson, Steven Luatua; Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Tevita Li, Piers Francis, Rene Ranger, Rieko Ioane, Lolagi Visinia.
Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Sam Prattley, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Hoani Matenga, Akira Ioane, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, George Moala.
Jaguares
1- Roberto Tejerizo , 2- Julián Montoya , 3- Ramiro Herrera , 4- Guido Petti , 5- Tomás Lavanini , 6- Tomás Lezana , 7- Rodrigo Báez , 8- Leonardo Senatore , 9- Martín Landajo (c) , 10- Santiago González Iglesias , 11- Manuel Montero , 12- Jerónimo de la Fuente , 13- Matías Moroni , 14- Emiliano Boffelli , 15- Ramiro Moyano
Replacements :16- Facundo Bosch , 17- Santiago García Botta , 18- Enrique Pieretto , 19- Juan Cruz Guillemaín , 20- Pablo Matera , 21- Gonzalo Bertranou , 22- Nicolás Sánchez , 23- Joaquín Paz
