Blues v Hurricanes: Live updates from the Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park

Follow the action as the Blues host the Hurricanes at Eden Park. Match preview Blues coach Vern Cotter has recalled Beauden Barrett to start in the No 10 jersey, having come off the bench for their past two games.Barrett replaces Stephen Perofeta, who takes his spot among the reserves, with the Blues opting for a 6-2 bench split.Loose forward Dalton Papali’i has been ruled out after suffering a jaw injury, so Anton Segner starts at openside flanker.Defeat for the Blues could be costly with the Crusaders breathing down their necks, six points back.“Last week hurt and the group knows we need to be better in the areas that matter. We’ve had a strong week of preparation and there’s real intent around the way we want to play on Saturday night,” Cotter said.“The Hurricanes are in top form, so we know the challenge in front of us and the focus is on delivering an accurate, physical performance.”Meanwhile the Hurricanes have recalled their big guns for the clash, for which Jordie Barrett, Ruben Love and Warner Dearns return to the starting side.Four-try hero Josh Moorby gets the weekend off while Du’Plessis Kirifi is out with a knee injury.Peter Lakai will start at openside flanker with Kirifi out, while Kini Naholo is promoted to the run-on side on the left wing, pushing Fehi Fineanganofo out to the right wing.Fineanganofo still needs two tries to claim the record for most tries in a Super Rugby Pacific season.The Hurricanes defeated the Blues 42-19 when they last met in Super Rugby Pacific earlier this season (Rd 9, 2026), snapping a three-match losing run against them; the Hurricanes will be aiming for consecutive wins against the Blues for the first time since June 2019.Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Marcel Renata, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Malachi Wrampling, 7. Anton Segner, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. Xavi Taele, 14. AJ Lam, 15. Zarn Sullivan.Bench: 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Flyn Yates, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Torian Barnes, 21. Che Clark, 22. Finlay Christie, 23. Stephen Perofeta.Hurricanes: 1. Xavier Numia, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Pasilio Tosi, 4. Caleb Delany, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Brad Shields, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Devan Flanders, 9. Ereatara Enari, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Kini Naholo, 12. Jordie Barrett (c), 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Fehi Fineanganofo, 15. Callum Harkin.Bench: 16. Raymond Tuputupu, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Siale Lauaki, 19. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 20. Brayden Iose, 21. Jordi Viljoen, 22. Jone Rova, 23. Bailyn Sullivan.