Anthony Boric is the only change made to the Blues side. Photo / Dean Purcell
Versatile forward Anthony Boric is the only change to the Blues' starting team for Saturday's Super 14 rugby match against the Western Force at North Harbour Stadium in Albany.
Boric, who can play on the blindside flank, will start at lock ahead of Kurtis Haiu, who drops to
the reserve bench.
Coach David Nucifora said he was reluctant to make changes even though his team are coming off their first loss, 17-22 to the Sharks in Durban last weekend.
"Consistency has been a big factor of our campaign to date and having assessed the players after their travel home from South Africa, everybody's in good form," Nucifora said.
" Anthony has performed well off the bench so far this season and deserves this opportunity. Given Kurtis Haiu's form this season, he will make a major impact later in the game."
Flanker Daniel Braid has recovered from a shoulder injury but hasn't been included in the squad.
Instead his first game of the year will be for the Blues' development team in Saturday's curtain raiser.
"The decision to keep Daniel Braid out of the line-up this week is to give him some much-needed game time and a decent hit-out before throwing him into the mix," Nucifora said.
"Daniel commits himself 100 per cent every time he plays and having not played a game for several months, a development game this week is the sensible option."
Blues
Ben Atiga, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Kven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Kurtis Haiu, Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Rudi Wulf, George Pisi
- NZPA
