World Cup winning All Blacks Jerome Kaino and Anthony Boric will front up for the Blues in their first pre-season match of the year against the Hurricanes in Whangarei on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm).
Kaino, awarded the New Zealand Player of the Year last year following stellar performances for both the Blues and All Blacks, is eager to get back into another season and will shift from his regular position of flanker to number eight for the hit-out.
“Jerome and Anthony have both come back in pretty good condition, they’ve trained well and most importantly they’re keen to get out there. We’ll only put them on for 40 minutes as they build into the season,” Blues head coach Pat Lam said.
“As we know Jerome is the sort of guy that thrives on games and gets better with every game he plays so he wants to be at his peak for the Crusaders, and the same goes for AB so it’s a good chance for them to get out there.”
Entering his fourth campaign with the Blues in 2012, Lam said the focus of Saturday's first pre-season match was on structure and communication.
“The main thing is getting our systems going again, having a solid hit-out and trying things. Training is nothing compared to getting out there and playing a game and there is a real emphasis on communication this week particularly from our new first five-eighths Michael Hobbs and Gareth Anscombe.
“Everyone’s going to get some game time including the Wider Training Group and the guys know it’s about performing and trying to get a foot in the door for the first proper game of the season against the Crusaders.”
As well as the intriguing battle for the number 10 jersey between Hobbs, Anscombe and the injured Piri Weepu, another hotly contested spot will be on the wing, and Lam is looking forward to seeing who puts their hand up for selection.
“There are places up for grabs. We lost Joe Rokocoko on the wing and Rudi Wulf is an established player who is back, you’ve got David Raikuna, Sherwin Stowers and George Moala who will also get a hit-out at centre as well, so it’s a good chance for them to stake a claim.”
The match will be played in four 20 minute quarters. Tickets are available from the Northland Rugby Union office, the BNZ branch Whangarei and at the gates on match day. Tickets start from just $10 for adults and $5 for kids.
Gates open at 11.30am and the curtain raiser between Maori Northern Region Men and Maori Southern Region Men kicks off at 12.00pm.
The Blues team to face the Hurricanes is:
1. Pauliasi Manu
2. James Parsons
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Filo Paulo
5. Anthony Boric
6. Chris Lowrey
7. Sean Polwart
8. Jerome Kaino
9. Wayne Ngaluafe
10. Michael Hobbs
11. Lachie Munro
12. Benson Stanley
13. George Moala
14. David Raikuna
15. Rudi Wulf
Reserves
Tevita Mailau
Tom McCartney
Angus Ta’avao
Steven Luatua
Daniel Braid
Dan Pryor
Brad Mika
Alby Mathewson
Gareth Anscombe
Hadleigh Parkes
Sherwin Stowers
Ben Lam
Rene Ranger