By WYNNE GRAY
Captain Robin Brooke and prop David Morgan are Auckland Blues casualties even before their Super 12 rugby practice matches have begun.
During the group's sortie north and preparations for tomorrow night's opening trial match in Whangarei, the pair have succumbed to injuries which will keep them from any serious play over the next few weeks.
Morgan has strained a hamstring, but Brooke has a spiral fracture in the back of his left hand which will bring back unpleasant reminders of last season when a leg strain removed him from the early part of his team's programme.
However the Blues' medical staff feel the experienced lock will return for at least one of the side's warmup matches in Australia when they venture across the Tasman next week to meet Queensland and New South Wales.
David Morgan's return may not be as rapid and his injury may dent his bid to start the Super 12 series when the Blues open their campaign against the ACT Brumbies in Canberra on February 25.
Both tight forwards will be onlookers tomorrow night while the squad and some backup players play the trial game at Whangarei.
Among the backup group is Samoan test veteran To'o Vaega while Sam Tuitupou of Kelston Boys' High gets his chance to have a run on the wing.
"We have decided to look at specific combinations in teams to sort out problems like defence rather than have my top team go in against a team of others and win by lots," said Blues coach Gordon Hunter.
The Vikings team will be coached by Wayne Pivac and Joe Morgan, while the Barbarians will be taken by Terry Wright and John Drake, with the game split into four quarters.
While Blues Coach Hunter and assistant Frank Oliver have gone for the mix and match approach, if the Vikings' loose forwards and Barbarians' midfield click, they should have the edge for the beginning of the Super 12. That would place Dylan Mika as the starting No 8 and exciting youngster Orene Ai'i at first five eighths ahead of the vastly experienced utility Walter Little.
The coach confirmed he wanted to see Mika develop as a powerful driving forward from the base of the scrum while he also wanted to try another former test No 8, Xavier Rush, as an openside flanker.
"I want to teach him to do that job, I think he has got the speed and is clever enough to learn the role, and I am keen for him to have a crack at it," said Hunter.
Vikings: Hayden Taylor, Aisea Tuilevu, Iliesa Tanivula, Joeli Vidiri, To'o Vaega, Walter Little, Mark Robinson, Dylan Mika, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell, Dean Bassett, Andrew Blowers, Craig Dowd, Davin Heaps (capt), Nick White.
Barbarians: Adrian Cashmore, Sam Tuitupou, Eroni Clarke, Doug Howlett, Craig Innes, Orene Ai'i, Steve Devine, Samiu Vahafolau, Xavier Rush, Jason Chandler, Charles Reichelmann, Finau Maka, Tim Knight, Keven Mealamu, Paul Thomson (capt).
Reserves: James Christian, Geoff Fahrenson, Blair Urlich, Ben Meyer, Gavin Williams, Bradley Mika, Jason Hammond, Brett Waaka, Kalau Fukafuko, Sam Pinder, Robbie Johnson.
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