Rugby: All eyes on Weepu and Nonu against Hurricanes

Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu will lineup against their former side this Friday. Photo - Photosport.co.nz/Getty Images

A hooker who admits he is probably lucky to be playing will garner some attention, but most eyes will be on Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu in their first match for the Blues against their former Hurricanes franchise.

Nonu was unwanted by Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett after a tumultuous first season in charge and Weepu decided to move on too after his mate was given the news.

When asked about coming up against his old teammates and Hammett at Eden Park tomorrow night, Weepu was the more forthcoming of the pair and delivered a nice line about "building a bridge and getting over it".

"I'm up for the challenge," he said. "It's going to be difficult seeing all my mates in yellow on the other side of the field, but I guess it's a job and I'm here to work. There are no friends on the field.

"I've had a chance to think over everything and get over everything. There's no point in dwelling on the past and what's happened. It's all about moving forward. I guess the emotions will be pretty fine going into the game."

Rather than feeling the need to prove a point to Hammett, Weepu said it was more about proving a point to himself.

"It's my old franchise and the toughest decision was to leave there but I've just got to do my best to go out there and get my team the win. He [Hammett] is down there and taking control of his team and obviously he's made a pretty good start to the campaign with the team that he's got."

Nonu, meanwhile, said moving was professional sport.

"[Peyton] Manning has been traded to the Broncos [in the NFL], David Beckham left Manchester United and went to Real Madrid so - I'm not like those guys - but these things happen."

Nonu, who made his Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes in 2003, said he was unsure how he would feel lining up against his old mates but one in particular - former centre partner Conrad Smith - will be keeping him busy.

"I've played him at club footy - they won that game from what I remember. He's pretty slippery, they don't call him Snakey for nothing. Obviously he's the captain as well and he's playing good footy."

Making his first appearance for the Blues this season is loosehead prop Tony Woodcock, who will do well to keep Hurricanes hooker Dane Coles in check after his vigorous display against the Highlanders last weekend.

Coles escaped sanction despite a borderline ruck clean-out and also a punch aimed at reserve prop Bronson Murray, whereas Blues flanker Luke Braid has been suspended for three weeks for striking a Stormers player, a situation which has annoyed coach Pat Lam.

Woodcock's return comes as the Blues are reeling from the serious injuries to Isaia Toeava and Jerome Kaino, plus problems with Keven Mealamu, Anthony Boric and George Moala. Wing Rene Ranger is serving the second week of a two-game ban.

Woodcock has played one match for the Blues Development team as a build-up. "I'm just keen to get back into it," he said.

His elbow and foot problems now felt 100 per cent due to his extra rest, he said.