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Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of the Blues v ACT Brumbies Super Rugby Pacific encounter at Auckland's Eden Park.
Both teams are fresh off a bye week and ready to resume their battle for second on the competition table - they are currently locked on 27 points from seven games, 10 points behind runaway, unbeaten leaders Hurricanes.
Before their break, the Blues enjoyed comfortably wins over Moana Pasifika and Western Force, and were able to cover up some glaring injury absences in key positions, namely Finlay Christie and Stephen Perofeta in the inside backs, and fullback Zarn Sullivan.
Their replacements will be put to the acid test against the top-ranked Aussie side, who barely edged Queensland Reds and cruised against NSW Waratahs in their last two outings.
Both teams enter this fixture with just one loss to their names, but victory this week and over the Hurricanes next week could see the Brumbies atop the table in seven days.
Join us for kickoff at 7pm.
TAB Odds: Blues $1.27, Brumbies $3.80, Draw $18
Blues play down significance of blockbuster Brumbies clash at Eden Park
Despite the top Australian Super Rugby side awaiting them this Saturday at Eden Park, the Blues are playing down the significance of a victory against ACT Brumbies.
Fresh off their demolition of the Force before the bye week, Vern Cotter's side are chasing a similar performance in round nine, but won't be drawn into the idea a win could go a long way to setting up their run to the playoffs.
Captain Patrick Tuipulotu still expects the side to deliver a clinical performance.
"We need to go above and beyond that, no disrespect to the Force, but we're coming up against a set-piece-oriented Brumbies, who are playing really well... this is pretty much our test match."
Little separates the Blues and Brumbies in 2024. Both sides have six wins and one loss on the season, and sit second and third on the Super Rugby ladder respectively.
"As we come up against these top teams, we'll really gauge where we're at," said Tuipulotu.
Where they're at right now, yes, but thinking any further ahead than the Brumbies clearly isn't on the Blues' radar this week.
"It's working away toward the back end of the season, don't think that one game is going to set you up for a title," Tuipulotu continued. "We've got to keep chipping away every week.",
That message is certainly getting through. Despite dropping just one game to the competition-leading Hurricanes this season, the Blues feel they have plenty left to give.
"We're still searching for a perfect 80-minute performance, but then again, we haven't really reached our potential," said Blues coach Vern Cotter.
Beating the Brumbies at Eden Park would surely help the Blues go a long way toward that.
