Rugby: Blues bring new grunt to old cause

Blues winger Joe Rokocoko gets some practice in at a training session at Unitec yesterday. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It has been some Super 14 wait for Viliami Ma'afu.

Six years after stepping into the curtainraiser world of provincial rugby, the burly No 8 will make his Blues debut tomorrow against the Hurricanes. He will make that start in familiar surroundings at North Harbour Stadium as the series begins under the revised ruck rulings being used by match officials.

Ma'afu will not square up against Rodney So'oialo, who remains on the 'Canes rested roster, but he will face an equally rugged foe in Victor Vito who has long carried the promise of being a test player in waiting.

Many of the Blues' troubles last season revolved around the lack of clout and balance in the 7, 8, 9 and 10 jerseys, dramas which were underlined when Stephen Brett and Serge Lilo were picked up in the draft and Alby Mathewson transferred north.

All three will start tomorrow as the Blues kick off this campaign against last year's beaten semifinalists.

Both backlines reek of attacking clout and while he was restricted by injuries to Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister and George Pisi, Blues coach Pat Lam has maintained the back four firepower by switching Rudi Wulf to fullback so Joe Rokocoko and Rene Ranger can stay on the flanks.

There will be similar backline grunt from the Hurricanes with five eighths Willie Ripia - preferred for the first start ahead of Aaron Cruden - the only non-All Black in that formation.

Both sides will open their campaigns with All Black frontrows, similar looseforward sting and some uncertainty about their locks. The secondrow selections offer a great deal of athletic ability but there will be questions about the setpiece consistency of both sets of locks. There are duels throughout from national hooking teammates and now captains, Keven Mealamu and Andrew Hore, to the versatile fullbacks Cory Jane and Wulf.

"We are well-prepared and comfortable that we have put in the work," Lam said. "We have worked a great deal on team stuff in our skills sessions, we have worked hard at being on top of the rule changes and want to get on with the tournament."

The Hurricanes have echoed similar thoughts while Colin Cooper, in his final year as coach, has named a side with plenty of sting. He resisted the idea of starting Cruden, but the five-eighths is certain to get his chance to shine during the series.

Blues
Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Viliami Ma'afu, Serge Lilo, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Paul Williams.

Hurricanes
Cory Jane, Tamati Ellison, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Hosea Gear, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, Nick Crosswell, Jason Eaton, Michael Paterson, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore (captain), John Schwalger.

Reserves: Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Karl Lowe, Tyson Keats, Aaron Cruden, David Smith.