Blues coach Vern Cotter has welcomed some “key” players back into the matchday squad as the ladder leaders prepare for a decisive Battle of the Bombays against the Chiefs on Saturday.
While the Hurricanes are equal on competition points with the Blues on the Super Rugby Pacific standings, the Auckland-based side has a clear advantage with a substantially better points differential.
The first tie-breaker when teams are equal on points on the ladder is the total number of wins, but those two Kiwi teams have 11 victories to their name so far. If they’re both still tied after round 15, then points difference is the deciding factor.
It’s no secret that securing top spot could prove crucial by the time the playoffs get underway, so this weekend’s clash with New Zealand rivals the Chiefs at Eden Park “has the potential for real fireworks.”
Rugby World Cup finalist Finlay Christie is in line to return from a niggly groin injury after being named on the bench. Christie hasn’t played since starting in a win over Moana Pasifika in round six back in March.
All Blacks Dalton Papali’i and Caleb Clarke are also set to start for the Blues after missing the round 14 defeat to a resurgent Crusaders outfit at Christchurch’s Apollo Projects Stadium.
“We’re happy to welcome a couple of key boys back this week in Caleb, Dalton and Fin,” coach Vern Cotter said in a statement.
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