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Toeava times his return to perfection

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:22

The bye last week came at the perfect time for Isaia Toeava, who is now back to full fitness and has been named at fullback for the Blues' first Super 14 home game at Eden Park on Friday - when they face the Brumbies.

Toeava sustained a hip injury in the Blues' victory over the Highlanders in Round Two and has missed the last two games, but he is now refreshed and raring to make an impact in his first game this year at fullback.

The 23-year-old All Black is renowned for his versatility and played the opening games for the Blues at centre, but coach Pat Lam insisted he had always intended to use Toeava at fullback at some stage during the season.

"He's a Test match fullback," Lam said.

"We always said at the start of the season fullback or centre were his positions so it's a good opportunity for him to come back and have a crack at fullback," he said.

Toeava is the only change from the starting team that faced the Crusaders in Round Four, as Paul Williams drops to the bench in place of George Pisi.

Rene Ranger, who impressed in his last two outings at centre, retains his position in the midfield alongside Benson Stanley who has overcome a head knock he sustained against the Crusaders.

Peter Saili has the arduous task of covering the entire back three positions after replacing Tom Chamberlain on the bench, but Lam said he had plenty of confidence the 21-year-old would deliver.

"Peter has played at seven a couple of times for us. The advantage of Peter this week is that he can play all three positions and he's coming back from injury as well but he's really keen and we're pleased to have him back," Lam said.

It is the Blues' first home game at Eden Park this season and Lam said despite it being a construction site the players were eager to get out there and put in a good performance in front of their home crowd.

"Eden Park is our home and the boys are really excited about getting out there," he said.

"It's always been every young players' dream, particularly around this area, to play on Eden Park and there are some boys here that are going out onto the Park for the first time as Blues players so there's a real buzz and excitement about it."

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, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacement: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Dan Kirkpatrick, 22 Paul Williams.

Date: Friday, March 19
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Matthew Stanish (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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