Rugby
Faumuina and Tuipulotu start against the Cheetahs─── 16:30 Thu, 26 Feb 2015
The Blues have named All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Patrick Tuipulotu in their team to run out against the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein tomorrow evening.
The side from Auckland are still hunting for their first win of the season after their 23-18 loss to the Chiefs and their 27-16 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town.
Other changes to the team will see Charles Piutau starting at centre, while Francis Saili drops to the bench.
Steven Luatua has recovered from the shoulder injury which forced him from the field at Newlands, but he will play from the bench.
Luke Braid will wear the No. 6 jersey, alongside captain and eighth-man Jerome Kaino, who will be playing his 100th game for the Blues.
Meanwhile, the Cheetahs made just two changes to their run on team and coach Naka Drotksé says they will try and stick to winning teams as much as possible.
Tomorrow evening’s match at the Free State Stadium kicks off at 19:10.
Toyota Cheetahs – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cornal Hendrick, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Michael van der Spuy, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Willie Britz, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Jean Cook, 5 Francous Uys (Captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements – 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Maks van Dyk, 19 Tienie Burger, 20 Boom Prinsloo, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Johann Sadie.
Blues - 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Charles Piutau, 12 Hamish Northcott, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Jerome Kaino (Captain), 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Luke Braid, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements - 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Francis Saili.
Morgan Piek / OFM News
