Blues sweat on several players for Stormers clash

The Blues have named an un-finalised team to play the Stormers in the second round of Super Rugby at Newlands in Cape Town.

Blues coach John Kirwan has been forced to name a team with several players bracketed due to injury concerns.

Winger George Moala had to withdraw from the Blues line up shortly before they took on the Chiefs and has now flown home to New Zealand due to a knee injury.

Kirwan has bracketed Tevita Li and Lolagi Visinia in Moala’s number 11 jersey and a decision on the bracketed players will be made closer to kick off.

All Black fullback Charles Piutau starts at fullback and Ben Lam starts at 14.

In the forwards Brendon O’Connor/Luke Braid/Akira Ioane have all been bracketed for the number 7 jersey while the number 5 jersey has Hayden Triggs/Patrick Tuipulotu bracketed.

In the front row Angus Ta’avao and Charlie Faumuina have been bracketed for the tighthead jersey.

The team will be captained by regular captain Jerome Kaino and All Black Steven Luatua starts in the number six jersey.

Blues

15 Charles Piutau, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Hamish Northcott, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Tevita Li/Lolagi Visinia, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Jerome Kaino (c), 7 Brendon O’Connor/Luke Braid/Akira Ioane, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Hayden Triggs/Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Bekhuis/Tuipulotu, 3 Angus Ta’avao/Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Greg Pleasants-Tate/Ofa Tu’ungafasi/Sam Prattley, 18 Charlie Faumuina/Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu/Hayden Triggs/Josh Bekhuis, 20 Luke Braid/Akira Ioane/Brendan O’Connor, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Dan Bowden, 23 Lolagi Visinia/ Tevita Li.