Umaga to test combinations
The coach has given new and established players an opportunity to test out combinations ahead of the return to Super Rugby on July 2.
"Northland Rugby Union is providing a great opportunity for us to get on to the field and have a good hit out, especially as we haven’t played together for three weeks," said Umaga.
"We’re taking everything in to this game that we would into a regular season match. The boys have been training pretty hard and I know they’re all ready to get back onto the field and play as a team," he added.
The June international window has been an opportunity for players and coaches to gain some representative experience.
However with the return of Super Rugby, coaches and players need to shift their focus and prepare for the final three regular season rounds.
Northland is one of the Blues’ key catchment areas, with five players from the region earning Blues contracts this season: Matt Moulds, Kara Pryor, Jack Ram, Sam Nock and Namatahi Waa.
Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Michael Little, 12 Matt McGahan, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Joe Edwards, 7 Kara Pryor, 6 Hoani Matenga, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: Quentin MacDonald, Matt Moulds, Namatahi Waa, Nic Mayhew, Scott Scrafton, Brandon Nansen, Blake Gibson, Bryn Hall, Will Talataina Mu, Matt Vaega, Afa Fa’atau, Lolagi Visinia.
Date: Friday, June 24
Venue: Toll Stadium, Whangarei
Kick-off: 18.30
Ref: TBC
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