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19 Oct 2025 12:38

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A different look to the Blues backline for Friday's Super Rugby contest against the Force at Eden Park

A different look to the Blues backline for Friday's Super Rugby contest against the Force at Eden Park

30 April 2025

AJ Lam replaces the suspended Mark Tele'a at left wing, with Xavi Taele coming in at second-five.

After coming off the bench due to illness last week - Beauden Barrett is back in the 10 jersey, while All Blacks team-mate Dalton Papali'i returns from his ankle injury at openside flanker.

Taufa Funaki and Stephen Perofeta have been given starts at halfback and fullback respectively.

Skipper Patrick Tuipulotu's hopeful value can be added in Telea's absence.

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19 Oct: Canterbury coach Marty Bourke has his fingers-crossed for the unlikely release of two players for next Saturday's NPC final against Otago

19 Oct: Canterbury coach Marty Bourke concedes there's emotion tied to next weekend's NPC final against Otago

18 Oct: The Canterbury rugby team are expecting another torrid home knockout as they host Hawke's Bay in the second NPC semifinal tonight, to see who'll play Otago in the final

18 Oct: Canterbury hooker George Bell's outlined what he claims will be critical to containing Hawke's Bay as they bid for a first NPC final berth since 20-22

18 Oct: First, Mid Canterbury meet reigning Heartland champions Thames Valley in a rematch of last year's Meads Cup final, the Hammers this time the hosts for the Swamp Foxes

18 Oct: New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson is staying tight-lipped about the location of the fourth test between the All Blacks and Springboks as part of next year's Greatest Rivalry tour

18 Oct: Otago have stormed into the NPC final after an emphatic 41-17 win over Bay of Plenty in their semi-final in Dunedin

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Canterbury coach Marty Bourke has his fingers-crossed for the unlikely release of two players for next Saturday's NPC final against Otago 10:46

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