Blues v Hurricanes: Teams
The Blues will be without a number of key players for the visit of the Hurricanes to Eden Park on Friday.
Last Updated: 21/03/12 9:07am
The Blues will be without a number of key players for the visit of the Hurricanes to Eden Park on Friday.
Luke Braid and Rene Ranger are both suspended while captain Keven Mealamu is the latest to be ruled out through injury - with Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Isaia Toeava and George Moala among those sidelined.
However there is some good news for Pat Lam's winless side, though, with All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock set to play his first game since the World Cup final.
Tom McCarthy will replace Mealamu (calf) at hooker, with young lock Liaki Moli handed his debut and No.8 Brad Mika making his first start of the season.
Debut
In the backs, Piri Weepu moves to fly-half to accommodate the return of Alby Mathewson at scrum-half, while Rudi Wulf and David Raikuna have shaken off injuries to start on the wings.
Hooker James Parsons is set to make his debut off the bench after being called up from the wider training group, while there is also a return for Michael Hobbs.
While the Blues have made a number of changes, Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett has initially stuck with his matchday 22 for a third week in a row.
Although the Hurricanes were edged out 19-17 by the Highlanders last time out, Hammett has kept faith in the players.
The Hurricanes could be forced into one change, though, if Ben May fails a late fitness test. Michael Bent will start at loosehead and Tristan Moran will come on to the bench if May misses out.
Blues: 15 Lachie Munro, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Brad Mika, 7 Daniel Braid (c), 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Sean Polwart, 20 Gareth Anscombe, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Hadleigh Parkes.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May/Michael Bent.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Michael Bent/Tristan Moran, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Brad Shields, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Charlie Ngatai.
