Youngsters start for Blues
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The Blues' coaches have an eye on the future with some hopeful young players given their start in the team to meet the Crusaders on Saturday.
The injury riddled Auckland outfit has paved the way for youngsters to make a name for themselves.
Three squad players – Will Lloyd, Joe Edwards and Matt Vaega – get their first starts while replacement Airi Hunt gains his first Super Rugby cap in Saturday’s game at Eden Park.
Replacement players, brought in to cover the large number of injured players – Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo, Chris Vui and Matt McGahan – are listed in the reserves.
The Blues have 12 players unavailable for selection with injury, while rising stars Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson and Tevita Li are all unavailable as they are on duty at the Under-20 World Cup in Italy.
James Parsons takes on the captaincy again in his 49th Super Rugby cap for the Blues.
Blues: 15 Matt Vaega, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Hamish Northcott, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Airi Hunt, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 6 Joe Edwards, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Will Lloyd, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Chris Vui, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Matt McGahan.
Date: Saturday, June 6
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock
Assistant referees: Ben O'Keeffe, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Ben Skeen
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