Blues v Bulls: Teams
Luke McAlister is set to make his long awaited return for the Blues after he was named on the bench for their showdown with the Bulls.
Last Updated: 02/04/10 8:44am
Luke McAlister is set to make his long awaited return for the Blues after he was named on the bench for their showdown with the Bulls.
McAlister has yet to play for the Auckland side since returning from a three-year stint in England with Sale - with a broken nose and a calf injury delaying his inclusion.
However New Zealand prop Tony Woodcock is sidelined for the match with a neck injury, so loosehead prop Charlie Faumuina comes in for the only change from the side that lost to the Waratahs.
The Bulls, the defending champions, have named an unchanged line-up for the match despite fitness doubts over Derick Kuun.
The flanker has been hampered by a slight hamstring strain, however he is named on the bench subject to a late fitness test, with Jaco Engels placed on standby.
Jaco van der Westhuyzen is also named among the replacements, and he will earn a 50th cap in Super Rugby if he comes on.
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Paul Williams.
Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 François Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.
