Blues team to face the Highlanders
Blues head coach SirJohn Kirwanhas made two changes to the starting XV for Friday night’s clash with the Highlanders atEdenPark(kick-off 7.35pm).
Tasman prop Tim Perry will start at loosehead in place of Tom McCartney, while Jackson Willison replaces Francis Saili at second five-eighths.
The Blues will be bolstered by World Cup winning All Black hooker Keven Mealamu who is named on the bench and will make his first appearance of the season after taking an extended leave period.
“We’ve obviously got Keven coming back so Quentin is a bit unlucky. We think Tim played really well against the Bulls so we want to have another look at him and Jacko just adds bit more balance to the midfield,” Kirwan said.
“We think Francis has been playing well but he’s been playing a lot so we want him to take some time out and reassess and then come off the bench for us.”
Despite boasting a team brimming with All Blacks and x-factor, the Highlanders have been unable to record a win in five matches this season and sit at the bottom of the Investec Super Rugby ladder.
However in many of those losses they have performed strongly and Kirwan knows it is only a matter of time before they click into gear.
“They’re seriously dangerous, we’re going to have to have a great game to beat them. Ma’a Nonu will bring his A-game and I think we’re seeing Hosea on the wing having his best season.
“We’ve got a whole lot of good footballers against us that are hurting. I’m good mates with Jamie Joseph and I know how proud he is so this is a huge game for us.
“They can’t win a trick and I don’t want them to win one on Friday either so that’s the nature of this tournament. Look at us, we’ve lost three in a row so we’re under the pump as well. It’s going to be a huge game with lots of fireworks and lots of emotion.”
The Blues team to face the Highlanders atEdenParkon Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm) is:
Starting XV
15. Charles Piutau
14. Frank Halai
13. Rene Ranger
12. Jackson Willison
11. George Moala
10. Chris Noakes
9. Piri Weepu
8. Peter Saili
7. Luke Braid
6. Steven Luatua
5. Ali Williams (C)
4. Culum Retallick
3. Angus Ta’avao
2. James Parsons
1. Tim Perry
Reserves
16. Keven Mealamu
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
18. Anthony Boric
19. Brendon O’Connor
20. Jamison Gibson-Park
21.BadenKerr
22. Francis Saili
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