Piutau in last line for Blues

 

Ben Lam comes in to take Piutau's place on the right wing in the only change to the side that went down to the Chiefs in their opening match in Auckland last week.

 

Blues coach John Kirwan said that whilst it was frustrating to start the season off with a defeat, he remains upbeat as his side showed some promising signs.

 

"We didn't score tries but we certainly created a lot of opportunities which is how the Blues want to play," he said.

 

Kirwan is expecting a tough encounter from a confident Stormers side who are coming off an away win against the Bulls, and admitted that he is desperate to avoid starting the season with consecutive defeats.

 

"It is an exciting week, I think the Stormers got off to a great start last week. We gave away a couple of soft tries but we played some good footy as well so I think it is going to be a great game.

 

"This is a tough competition, I don't think you can afford to lose too many games two in a row so the pressure is on us already and it is only Round Two. 

 

"But half the competition is in the same boat and at least we have got a point," he said.

 

The Blues coach said that he is expecting a fairly open game, with both teams set to play a positive brand of rugby.

 

"I think it will be two sides that want to play, we know when we come to South Africa that the Stormers are going to have a similar type of rugby to ours and we are looking forward to an open game of rugby and a pretty torrid affair," he said.

 

Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Hamish Northcott, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Jerome Kaino(captain), 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: TBC

 

Date: Saturday, February 21

Venue: Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

Kick-off: 17.05 (15.05 GMT; 04.05 Sunday NZDT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Quinton Immelman (South Africa)

TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)