Father figure Blowers returns to Auckland

Andrew Blowers

Andrew Blowers finally ends his six-year exile from New Zealand first class rugby when he belatedly returns to his old Auckland team after one last pregnant pause.

The former All Blacks flanker has been back in New Zealand since late last year but concussion and then impending fatherhood -- has delayed his comeback until Sunday's Air New Zealand Cup clash with Tasman.

Striding on to Eden Park for the first time since 2000 has been a long time coming for the durable 31-year-old loose forward who joined the brawn and brain drain to England after playing the last of his 11 tests against Italy at the 1999 World Cup.

After a stint in England, which dovetailed with the end of current Auckland coach Pat Lam's playing career at Northampton, Blowers is back under the former Samoan captain's influence as his own career approaches the twilight zone.

Blowers, who welcomed the arrival of his third child, Solomona, last week, had expected to make his return during the Super 14 with the Highlanders but a nasty head clash with fullback Ben Blair left him heavily concussed and unavailable for the duration of the tournament.

He also missed last weekend's competition opener in Palmerston North because his wife was about to give birth, although he did try and convince Lam to include him in the squad for the trip to Manawatu.

"He was trying to organise a flight but I said 'Mate, family time' ...." Lam said, after naming Blowers at No 8 in an all All Blacks loose trio also comprising Daniel Braid and Jerome Kaino.

"He's raring to go," Lam said.

"A lot of people will be very impressed when they see him."

Lam said Blower's frame had bulked up since his sojourn in the northern hemisphere but his hunger for the game remained the same as when he was a young face in that established Auckland team of the mid-1990s.

"He's a monster of a guy now -- the whole physique has changed but his game and commitment to the game hasn't changed at all.

"He's a real leader for us. He's got a lot of respect for what he does on the training field -- and on the field too," Lam enthused.

Blowers was almost bashful in comparison after he was confirmed in the starting lineup.

"I don't know if I've been assisting that much. It goes both ways -- the young guys are very enthusiastic and that rubs off."

Blowers said the age of the current squad was the obvious change from his initial stint.

"When I started 90 per cent of the team had been there for 10 years. I'm one of the oldies now so being back is similar .... but different.

"It's exciting to be back. The body feels it a bit more these days but the mind's still willing."

Blowers got acquainted with his new provincial teammates on a pre-season tour of the Pacific Islands, a two-match trip that also confirmed he had his head around a return to top class rugby after that debilitating knock in February.

"I got through the games in Fiji and Samoa -- and if you can get through a few of the tackles over there you can get through most games," he smiled.

Lam has resisted the temptation to start Ali Williams in the second row against All Blacks teammate Chris Jack, instead opting to keep faith in young guns Kurtis Haiu and Joe Tekori.

Keven Mealamu has been named on the reserves bench but may yet start as Derren Witcombe is battling a slight hamstring strain sustained during the 41-10 defeat of Manawatu.

Out wide Isaia Toeava is also on the bench as 2003 World Cup reserve centre Ben Atiga gets the first opportunity to feed returning All Blacks' wingers Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett.

Lam had no intention of starting his All Blacks contingent but said they would all get game time.

"Bringing six new guys into the team would be tough on them and the team," he said.

"This week has been about getting them into the system."

Williams has not been able to train fully following the exertions of last Saturday's Bledisloe Cup battle in Brisbane while Mealamu was also recovering from "quite a battering".

Auckland: Brent Ward, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Sam Tuitupou (captain), Joe Rokocoko, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Andrew Blowers, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Joe Tekori, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Chris Heard. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Nick White, Ali Williams, Brad Mika, Taniela Moa, Lachie Munro, Lachie Munro, Isaia Toeava.

- NZPA