Hodgman to make 50th Blues appearance

Former Fiji U20 prop Alex Hodgman will play his 50th game for the Blues when they take on the Western Force in Round 11 of the Super Rugby Pacific tonight.

 

Hodgman did not feature in the Blues' 35-18 win over the Fijian Drua last week due to HIA protocols but makes a timely return for the special milestone.

 

Former rugby league representative Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will start from the bench while Number 8 Hoskins Sotutu, who shares links to Fiji, has been rested due to an injury.

 

Blues will feature experienced lock Luke Romano and welcomes back injured Akira Ioane.

 

The match kicks off at 8pm at the HBF Park in Perth.

 

Blues: Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, Sam Darry, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii (c), Anton Segner, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bryce Heem, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan.

 

Reserves: Ricky Riccitelli, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat, Taufa Funaki, Tanielu Tele'a, Jacob Tatumaitavuki-Kneepkens.

 

Force: Tom Robertson, Feleti Kaitu'u (c), Santiago Medrano, Ryan McCauley, Izack Rodda, Fergus Lee-Warner, Kane Koteka, Ollie Callan, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Reesjan Pasitoa, Manasa Mataele, Bayley Kuenzle, Kyle Godwin, Toni Pulu, Jake Strachan/Jake McIntyre.

 

Reserves: Andrew Ready, Bo Abra, Greg Holmes, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Anstee, Alex Masibaka, Ian Prior, Richard Kahui.

 

By Romeka Romena