Blues named to tackle the Reds

Jan 31 • General News, Super Rugby, Super Rugby Fixtures, Super Rugby News • 2155 Views • Comments Off on Blues named to tackle the Reds

Ben Tapuai gets dumped when the Blues faced the Reds in Brisabane 2011. Photo by Getty Images.

Pre-season trial 1

Saturday February 2

Toowoomba Sports Ground,Queensland

Kick-off 10.00pm NZT (7.00pm local time)

The Blues’ young newcomers will get the chance to test themselves against a powerful Reds outfit when the two sides meet for their first pre-season trial of the year in Toowoomba on Saturday.

While the Blues will take a 27-man squad featuring 18 uncapped players across the Tasman, they’ll come up against a Reds side boasting 11 capped Wallabies from 2012.

Blues head coach SirJohn Kirwansaid it would be a great challenge for his young team and he was looking forward to seeing them express themselves.

“They’re all ready to go, they’ve been training really hard and now it’s time to play,” Kirwan said.

“We’ve left some of the more experienced guys at home, we know what they can do so it’s a chance for the young boys to have a go.”

Luke Braid will captain the side in the absence of Ali Williams, who alongside fellow All Blacks Piri Weepu and Charlie Faumuina, will not travel toQueensland.

Anthony Boric, Rene Ranger, Charles Piutau, Culum Retallick and George Moala will also remain at home.

The starting XV features nine players who have yet to pull on a Blues jersey including the entire backline, while nine reserves are also new to the franchise.

The Blues team to face the Queensland Reds at the Toowoomba Sports Ground on Saturday (kick-off 10.00pm NZT) is:

Starting XV

15. Marty McKenzie

14. Waisake Naholo

13. Malakai Fekitoa

12. Jackson Willison

11. Frank Halai

10.BadenKerr

9. Bryn Hall

8. Peter Saili

7. Luke Braid (C)

6. Kane Barrett

5. Ronald Raaymakers

4. Liaki Moli

3. Angus Ta’avao

2. James Parsons

1. Tom McCartney

Reserves

Albert Nikoro

Lolagi Visinia

Pita Ahki

Francis Saili

Jamison Gibson-Park

Joe Edwards

Sean Polwart

Brendon O’Connor

Steven Luatua

Ofa Tu’ungafasi

Tim Perry

Quentin MacDonald

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