Blues v Waratahs: Teams
The new-look Super Rugby play-offs get underway on Friday when the Blues and Waratahs clash for a place in the semi-finals.
By Tony Curtis - Twitter: @SkySportsTC
Last Updated: 23/06/11 7:27pm
The new-look Super Rugby play-offs get underway on Friday when the Blues and Waratahs clash for a place in the semi-finals.
The Reds and Stormers are already through to the last four courtesy of finishing top two during the regular season, with the Crusaders and Sharks lining up in the other round one game.
The Blues go into the game having ended a four-match losing streak with a final week victory over the Highlanders.
And that win should serve as a timely boost the Blues, who will have several Aucklanders - including the likes of Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Jared Payne and John Afoa - making the last appearances on home soil.
Coach Pat Lam has made one change to his starting XV, with a fully-fit Alby Mathewson replaced the benched Chris Smylie at scrum-half.
Injuries
All Black flank Daniel Braid will make his long-awaited off the bench after being sidelined for more than three months.
The Waratahs go into the game with a squad depleted by injuries.
Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Sekope Kepu, Rob Horne, Ben Mowen, Pat McCutcheon, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Al Baxter and Daniel Halangahu have all been ruled at the clash - severely denting the hopes of the visitors.
As a result Josh Holmes, John Ulugia, Paddy Ryan, Kane Douglas and Sosene Anesi come into a much-changed starting XV, while Kurtley Beale moves to fly-half.
Australian Sevens captain Bernard Foley and Manly hooker Elvis Taione have been called up from club rugby to fill places on the bench.
Blues: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Soseni Anesi, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Josh Holmes; 8 Dave Dennis, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 4 Dean Mumm, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Pat O'Connor, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Bernard Foley.
