Stanley cooler than Ice
Wed, 07 May 2008 11:08
Blues coach David Nucifora has made just one change to his starting line-up to play the Highlanders in their Round 13 Super 14 match on Saturday.
Benson Stanley returns at inside centre in place of Isaia 'Ice' Toeava, who is on the bench.
Tony Woodcock (foot) and Troy Flavell (hamstring) have been bracketed in the starting lineup. A decision on their availability will be made on Friday.
There will be more than just competition points at stake when the Highlanders take on the Blues. The teams will also play for the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy in memory of the popular coach who coached the Highlanders in the first year of their existence and then, after a stint with the All Blacks, also coached the Blues.
There have been other close links between the two teams for players and coaches.
Peter Sloane coached the Highlanders for two years then went on to coach the Blues, while Greg Cooper, who played for the Blues, also coached the Highlanders before joining the Blues as assistant coach.
The Blues and Highlanders have met on 13 occasions since 1996, with the Blues holding an 8-5 win advantage. The Blues also lead 366-280 on points scored and have outscored the Highlanders by 44 tries to 26.
Blues: 15 Nick Evans, 14 David Smith, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell (captain)/Kurtis Haiu, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock/Nick White.
Replacements: 16 Nick White/Tom McCartney, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Kurtis Haiu/Bryn Evans, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Danny Lee, 21 Isaia Toeava, 22 Ben Atiga.
Date: Saturday, May 10
Venue: Carisbrook, Dunedin
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Touch
judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
