It’s only week one in Super Rugby but the Blues say their first game is one of the biggest of the season.
The Blues are trying to shake off their underachiever tag and they start their season on Saturday against the Chiefs, Super Rugby winners in two of the past three years.
With the team then heading to South Africa for games against the Stormers, Cheetahs and Lions, coach Sir John Kirwan says they will potentially be facing difficulties if they don’t handle that schedule well.
“We need to get off to a good start. We need to have a good first period, so for us I believe it’s one of the biggest games of the season,” he said of the Chiefs clash.
“They’re touted to be champions and they’ve had the measure of us for the last couple of years so we know it’s going to be a huge game for us, and always is. It’s a big game and we need our fans to turn up and help us win.”
Skipper Jerome Kaino has recovered from an illness to be named at No.8.
Kirwan has given the No.10 jersey to Hawke’s Bay pivot Ihaia West, who joined the Blues only midway through 2014, with Simon Hickey on the bench.
“Ihaia’s just continued to grow and we’re really happy with him,” Kirwan said.
“We need him to step up and take control of the rugby team, which he did last year, and which he did at the Bay, and we’re just expecting him to continue to grow.”
West will operate outside former All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan.
Centre George Moala, who is recovering from a knock to the knee in last week’s warm-up match against the Hurricanes, has been bracketed with Hamish Northcott.
Backs Pita Ahki and Dan Bowden, and loose forward Blake Gibson were unavailable because of injury, while lock Patrick Tuipulotu and hooker Keven Mealamu are being held back after their workload with the All Blacks last year.
Blues: Lolagi Visinia, Charles Piutau, George Moala/Hamish Northcott, Francis Saili, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (capt), Brendon O’Connor, Steven Luatua, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Angus Ta’avao, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Akira Ioane, Luke Braid, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, Northcott/Ben Lam.
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