Blues named to tackle the Reds
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Ben Tapuai gets dumped when the Blues faced the Reds in Brisabane 2011. Photo by Getty Images.
Pre-season trial 1
Saturday February 2
Toowoomba Sports Ground,Queensland
Kick-off 10.00pm NZT (7.00pm local time)
The Blues’ young newcomers will get the chance to test themselves against a powerful Reds outfit when the two sides meet for their first pre-season trial of the year in Toowoomba on Saturday.
While the Blues will take a 27-man squad featuring 18 uncapped players across the Tasman, they’ll come up against a Reds side boasting 11 capped Wallabies from 2012.
Blues head coach SirJohn Kirwansaid it would be a great challenge for his young team and he was looking forward to seeing them express themselves.
“They’re all ready to go, they’ve been training really hard and now it’s time to play,” Kirwan said.
“We’ve left some of the more experienced guys at home, we know what they can do so it’s a chance for the young boys to have a go.”
Luke Braid will captain the side in the absence of Ali Williams, who alongside fellow All Blacks Piri Weepu and Charlie Faumuina, will not travel toQueensland.
Anthony Boric, Rene Ranger, Charles Piutau, Culum Retallick and George Moala will also remain at home.
The starting XV features nine players who have yet to pull on a Blues jersey including the entire backline, while nine reserves are also new to the franchise.
The Blues team to face the Queensland Reds at the Toowoomba Sports Ground on Saturday (kick-off 10.00pm NZT) is:
Starting XV
15. Marty McKenzie
14. Waisake Naholo
13. Malakai Fekitoa
12. Jackson Willison
11. Frank Halai
10.BadenKerr
9. Bryn Hall
8. Peter Saili
7. Luke Braid (C)
6. Kane Barrett
5. Ronald Raaymakers
4. Liaki Moli
3. Angus Ta’avao
2. James Parsons
1. Tom McCartney
Reserves
Albert Nikoro
Lolagi Visinia
Pita Ahki
Francis Saili
Jamison Gibson-Park
Joe Edwards
Sean Polwart
Brendon O’Connor
Steven Luatua
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Tim Perry
Quentin MacDonald
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