Blues call Califano for front-row tussle

By WYNNE GRAY

French prop Christian Califano has been awarded his first Super 12 start at the same ground where he began his illustrious test career eight years ago against the All Blacks.

The Blues are hoping they get the same upset result tomorrow against the Crusaders as Califano and France did that day in Christchurch.

After starting on the bench for the Blues in the first two games, the 29-year-old Califano has been promoted past young loosehead prop Tony Woodcock for a huge tussle against the All Black front row of the Crusaders.

With 66 test appearances, Califano is the most capped prop in French history and will be asked to use that experience to quell some of the early Crusaders scrum menace.

For the first few weeks of the competition, the Crusaders have mixed and matched their three All Black props, Dave Hewett, Greg Somerville and Greg Feek.

This week they have sandwiched hooker Mark Hammett between Feek and Somerville as the best trio to cope with the Blues.

"It's going to be extremely competitive," Somerville said.

"They've got a big strong forward pack and they use it well. It's going to be good competition for us to test ourselves to see if we are up to it again."

Somerville suggested the Crusaders had not been as effective up front as they wanted to be in this season's Super 12 and tomorrow's challenge would be as difficult as any.

The Blues have been forced to make one starting change at halfback, where Steve Devine takes over from an injured Mark Robinson. Versatile loose forward Blair Urlich is fit again and in the reserves with replacement halfback Ben Meyer.

Crusaders fullback Leon MacDonald and lock Chris Jack have recovered from injury and will be on the field for this third-round clash.

Blues: Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Rico Gear, Mark Mayerhofler, Hayden Reid, Carlos Spencer, Steve Devine, Ron Cribb, Matua Parkinson, Xavier Rush, Glenn Taylor (capt), Troy Flavell, Kees Meeuws, Slade McFarland, Christian Califano. Res: Derren Witcombe, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Blair Urlich, Ben Meyer, James Arlidge, Lee Stensness.

Crusaders: Leon MacDonald, Joe Maddock, Nathan Mauger, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Scott Robertson, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne (capt), Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, Greg Feek.

Round Three preview