Rugby: Seven new faces boost Blues' ranks

Halfback Toby Morland trains with the Blues this week. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Seven men will wear the Blues jersey for the first time this season.

The four forwards and three backs have a wide range of credentials for their introduction to the latest Blues campaign, one which coach Pat Lam has earmarked to reach the semifinals and beyond.

This week the new faces dovetailed with most of the All Blacks who are making their way back with promotional and physical activity.

Fullback Jared Payne and halfback Toby Morland are experienced at this level of rugby, the Blues being the third franchise they have each represented.

Luke Braid was with the Chiefs last season, several others have been in wider training groups, while this whole deal is a new experience for No 8 Mathew Luamanu.

So what do we make of the septet? Will they gain some cult status as the magnificent seven, will they get that chance even in the extended framework of this season's tournament, or will they be the supplementary sect?

On paper, the Blues stand a strong chance as they could name a starting XV with all but one of the backline having represented the All Blacks. That suggests some serious strength, although there are all those intangibles about getting a squad to gel and finding a game plan to suit them and the rules.

And while the team has a number of All Blacks', national representation was some time ago for those such as the injured Brad Mika and the returning Ali Williams. It has been sporadic for others. So maybe the seven new faces will be putting the heat on for a start.

Payne appears the strongest candidate. He was a dangerous player at either fullback or centre for Northland, the go-to attacking force and a strong leader.

He was picked for national age-group teams and started his career with Waikato, then played for the Chiefs before switching to the Crusaders for the last two seasons. Payne also played sevens and has shown at trainings the sort of stamina and pace needed for the high-octane requirements of Super Rugby.

High hopes are attached to Sherwin Stowers. He is very quick and showed some great skills on the wing for Counties.

The trainers were concerned, though, that Stowers faded in and out of some games and have worked hard to boost his stamina. Already, Stowers has shown significant improvement after taking up a Blues contract over the Chiefs and Highlanders.

"He is quick and was in the academy at Auckland for a while but was a bit of a lazy trainer and was released," coach Pat Lam recalled. "However he has worked on his game and we are glad to have him back with us."

Morland first played Super Rugby in 2004 for the Highlanders and latterly for the Chiefs in 2009, when he played in the final against the Bulls. The halfback then took up a short-term deal to help out Munster before returning to play for Auckland last season.

He has claimed the third halfback spot behind Alby Mathewson and Chris Smylie and will have a battle to start many matches.

Braid joins older brother Daniel in the looseforward mix. He has recovered from a serious ankle injury and as a former IRB Junior player of the year should expect some work in the high-speed demands of an opensider's portfolio.

Ash Dixon is a bit like Morland, third in line for the hooking job behind All Black and captain Keven Mealamu and the ever-improving Tom McCartney.

Dixon comes via Hawkes Bay and showed out enough for Auckland this year to move into an enlarged senior group from the wider training squad.

He has a high work rate, throws well to the lineout and scrums solidly with a pedigree of representing national sides at most age-group levels.

If the Blues want size from their No 8 then Luamanu is their man. There have been doubts about his ability to lug his serious frame through an entire game of Super Rugby, but his star shone in fierce bursts for North Harbour.

The trainers have been onto Luamanu, working hard to get the loosie in sharper shape.

"He has qualities not many other No 8's have," Lam said. "He has got all the raw power but needs to get in plenty of work during this pre-season."

Lock Moli is the youngest of five locks and the rapid improver who had a massive last season with the NZ under 20s then Auckland.

He dislocated his shoulder in the ITM Cup semifinal loss to Waikato and it took some time to get the joint back into place. Moli then underwent extensive rehab but he is now fit for a serious tilt at selection.

Fresh blood
* Luke Braid: Flanker, 22, 1.85m, 101kg, Bay of Plenty.
* Ash Dixon: Hooker, 22, 1.8m, 103kg, Auckland.
* Mat Luamanu: No 8, 22, 1.96m, 129kg, North Harbour.
* Liaki Moli: Lock, 21, 1.94m, 114kg, Auckland.
* Toby Morland: Halfback, 27, 1.77m, 82kg, Auckland.
* Jared Payne: Fullback, 25, 1.87m, 95kg, Northland.
* Sherwin Stowers: Wing, 24, 1.78m, 86kg, Counties Manukau.