The Super Rugby Pacific match between the Blues and Moana Pasifika in Albany on Saturday night shapes as the juiciest fixture this weekend, and the atmosphere could be electric.
With just three games left for teams to secure a place in the top-six for the playoffs, the Blues have received a boost, too.
stuff.co.nz reports that All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke returns from injury for this must-win game.
The Blues, fifth on the competition ladder on 27 points, have played 12 games.
Moana Pasifika, in seventh spot, have 24 points.
A game of this magnitude deserves a decent crowd, but it’s up to the fans to decide whether they want to roll-up to North Harbour Stadium.
The clash won’t lack heat.
When rugby teams cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, they do so with a mindset to get a job done.
The most infamous of the “Battle of the bridge’’ games unfolded in 1994 when North Harbour hosted Auckland in the NPC final at Onewa Domain.
A huge crowd in the small venue contributed to the electric atmosphere, as the forwards flew at each other like enraged hermits from the high country.
There was blood, and plenty of it. Then came the suspensions.
It’s highly unlikely there will be any of that nonsense when Moana Pasifika host the Blues.
But it will be a tough, entertaining scrap - guaranteed.
Moana Pasifika will take on the Blues at 7.05pm Saturday, and the Brumbies will play the Reds at 9.35pm.
The Drua will take on the Force at 3.35pm Saturday at Churchill Park in Lautoka in their last home game of the 2025 season.
In other matches this week, the Hurricanes will play the Highlanders at 7.05pm tomorrow, and the Waratahs will host the Crusaders at 9.35pm.
source : stuff.co.nz
