Blues injury-ravaged for opener
Far from rolling out the big guns, the Blues open their campaign in Melbourne on Thursday with several leading figures missing from the starting side.
Co captains Jerome Kaino and James Parson along with All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu, and as expected Sonny Bill Williams, will all miss the Blues’ first match of 2017 against the Rebels. Charlie Faumuina, carrying a leg complaint, George Moala and Rene Ranger have been named to come off a powerful bench - all making graduated returns from injury. Lock Jimmy Tupou will captain a team that features a rather conservative backline, including Otago utility Michael Collins at fullback.
The good news for coach Tana Umaga came in the form of openside Blake Gibson recovering from a shoulder knock in the final preseason game against the Chiefs. But former Crusaders prop Alex Hodgman suffered an ankle injury at Tuesday training and was replaced on the pine by Sam Pratley. Parsons is progressing well from concussions symptoms but Kaino’s return has been pushed back after he was taken out of action due to the impact Sione Lauaki’s death had on him.
‘‘He’s a little bit further behind where he would like and where we would like,’’ Umaga said of the All Blacks blindside. ‘‘This is his second day back today and you could see he was struggling a little bit with the running. He’s catching up with that but the professional he is and experience he has it won’t take him long.’’
Umaga has handed Counties Manukau first five-eighth Piers Francis the task of deputising for Williams at No.12, pairing him in the midfield with Rieko Iaone. Collins gets the nod at the back after impressing Umaga with his voice and organisation.
‘‘Guys that have shown form in training and preseason we are very conscious of making sure we repaid that,’’ Umaga said. ‘‘Also we’ve got guys like George and Rene who are still coming back from injury.’’
Tuipulotu’s absence this week sees Gerard Cowley-Tuioti partner Tupou in the second-row but Umaga is confident his All Blacks lock will soon be back on deck. With three local derbies in the first four weeks the Blues must start well.