It looks as though the Auckland Blues side have timed their run-up perfectly after their 31-27 win over the Hurricanes and are peaking at the right end of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific season.
Blues flanker Dalton Papali’i was sure to measure expectations and stay grounded when speaking to media saying they have been here before, and choked in the finals.
The Blues finished atop the Super Rugby table in 2022 with just one loss to their name during the regular season, but went on to lose to the Crusaders in the final as the Canterbury side claimed their sixth title in as many years.
Papali’i is eager to take the lessons from that experience and ensure they go one better in 2024.
He says there are so many teams in this competition that he thinks everyone is being hunted and they have got to try to win each week by focusing on the day.
This weekend will see Eden Park host a Blues contest against a Highlanders outfit fresh off a historic win over the Crusaders under the roof in Dunedin.
A standout performer in that game was winger Timoci Tavatavanawai, a man not just in the top five for defenders beaten – again – in 2024, but also for breakdown turnovers.
The Blues take on the Highlanders at 7.05pm Saturday.
In other games, the Hurricanes will take on Moana Pasifika at 7.05pm Friday, the Rebels will host the Chiefs at 9.35pm Friday, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua take on the Reds at 2.05pm Saturday, the Brumbies will play the Crusaders at 4.35pm Saturday, and the Force will host the Waratahs at 9.35pm Saturday.
[Source: Stuff.co]
