Faumuina back to bolster Blues
Faumuina and Blake Gibson have returned to training to join the side. Coach Tana Umaga said the team as a whole emerged fit and healthy after the Rebels encounter. The only concern, at this stage, is the fitness of Piers Francis, who left the field with pain in his leg, however, he is expected to return to training by the end of the week.
While the team's scoreline (against the Rebels) and general fitness was a good boost ahead of the season, captain Jerome Kaino is hoping to see a marked improvement in the team's discipline on Saturday.
"We want guys to push the envelope and live on the edge but when you're getting compounding penalties, you want to pull that back and stay clean for a while.
"It'll be a mental switch and a certain mindset that you take into the game. The Hurricanes are full strength, so it'll be a couple of notches up in terms of standard and intensity, which is exactly what we're wanting going in to the season," Kaino said.
Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 George Moala, 11 Matt Vaega, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Jack Ram, 6 Jerome Kaino (captain), 5 Hoani Matenga, 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Namatahi Waa.
Replacements from – James Parsons, Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Matich, Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Male Sa'u, Charlie Faumuina, Josh Bekhuis, Blake Gibson, Joe Edwards, Tevita Li, Michael Little, Lolagi Visinia.
Date: Saturday, February 13
Venue: Eketahuna RFC, Eketahuna
Kick-off: 15.00 (02.00 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock
