Patrick Tuipulotu’s shock Blues return, Chiefs hooker stocks revealed as final Super Rugby Pacific squads named

Super Rugby Pacific’s new initiative to announce all team lists on Wednesday at 4 p.m. marks the start of a new Herald series: Super Rugby Selections.

Every Wednesday you’ll find the latest team news ahead of the weekend’s rugby match: who’s entered, who’s out and when all the football takes place.

The Blues will face the Chiefs

In Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, New York Knicks center Willis Reed shocked fans, pundits and the opposition when he walked onto the court to take his place opposite the LA Lakers big man , Wilt Chamberlain.

Reed’s status was uncertain before the start of the series due to a hamstring injury, but he limped onto the field and played a significant role in the victory.

Patrick Tuipulotu has the opportunity to write a similar story himself.

The Blues captain will make a remarkable comeback from a knee injury when he takes his place in the starting line-up against the Chiefs at Eden Park in the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday night.

Tuipulotu was injured during his side’s quarter-final win over Fiji’s Drua a fortnight ago and was expected to be out for seven weeks. However, he was cleared to play after testing his knee in training on Tuesday.

Blues head coach Vern Cotter said the decision to play Tuipulotu was made after a careful medical examination.

“Patty is a Blues man through and through and he came to us this week wanting to play in a Grand Final,” Cotter said.

“He tested the knee on Monday in the gym, then on grass yesterday. He has recovered well and has been given the all clear by our medical team – he is a welcome addition to our pack, our talisman lock and our leader,” he said.

Josh Beehre returns to the bench with Tuipulotu returning, while Bryce Heem will make his return from the bench, which will see Corey Evans come out on matchday 23.

Kick-off: Saturday 7:05 p.m. at Eden Park

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi

2. Ricky Riccitelli

3. Marcel Renata

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c)

5. Sam Darry

6. Akira Ioane

7. Dalton Papali’i

8. Hoskins Sotutu

9. Finlay Christie

10. Harry Plummer

11. Caleb Clarke

12. AJ Lam

13. Rieko Ioane

14. Mark Tele’a

15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves:

16. Kurt Eklund

17. Joshua Fusitu’a

18. Angus Ta’avao

19. Josh Beehre

20. Adrien Choat

21. Taufa Funaki

22. Bryce Heem

23. Cole Forbes

The Chiefs team will face the Blues

A return to the Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers comes at a cost for the Chiefs, who will be without hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and Naitoa Ah Kuoi for the final due to injury.

Both men have been key contributors for the Chiefs in 2024; Taukei’aho leads the way at hooker and Ah Kuoi provides valuable minutes starting and coming off the bench. They were replaced by Tyrone Thompson and Manaaki Selby-Rickit respectively in the only two changes made to the team. Compatriot Bradley Slater, who left last weekend’s semi-final win over the Hurricanes due to injuries, has been named to support Thompson.

The Chiefs will, however, be buoyed by the return of Shaun Stevenson, who will line up at fullback after being withdrawn late last weekend. His return pushes Etene Nanai-Seturo back to the wing with Daniel Rona returning to the bench and Liam Coombes-Fabling out of the match day squad.

“It’s unfortunate to have lost some key players to injuries, but no team has been immune to that, and you won’t see us worrying about something we can’t control,” Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said.

“We are really excited for the players who now have this opportunity. In Tyrone Thompson and Manaaki Selby-Rickit we have two quality players who will serve the team extremely well.

1. Aidan Ross

2. Tyrone Thompson

3. George Dyer

4. Jimmy Tupou

5. Tupou Vaa’i

6. Samipeni Finau

7. Luc Jacobson (c)

8.Wallace Sititi

9. Cortés Ratima

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo

12. Rameka Poihipi

13. Anton Lienert-Brown

14. Emoni Narawa

15. Shaun Stevenson

Reserves:

16.Bradley Slater

17. Jared Profit

18. Ruben O’Neill

19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit

20. Simon Parker

21. Xavier Roé

22. Quinn Tupaea

23. Daniel Rona