Riding pine: Piri Weepu

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Bench duty for Weepu

All Black star Piri Weepu will be riding pine for the Blues’ opening Super Rugby match against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Friday.

Former Highlanders pivot Michael Hobbs has edged out Weepu and young gun Gareth Anscombe to start at fly-half, just 18 months after having career threatening back surgery where he had screws inserted into his spine.

Head coach Pat Lam said Hobbs had shown fine form during the pre-season and deserved to have the first crack at 10 as Weepu provides cover on the bench.

“Michael Hobbs impressed in the last game and throughout the pre-season and he’s in great nick so he will start at 10,” Lam said.

“There was really good competition for the number 10 jersey and Piri showed his class but at this stage we feel it is best to bring him off the bench.”

Lam has made a number of interesting selections for Friday’s blockbuster showdown, not least starting hooker Tom McCartney at loosehead prop in the absence of All Black Tony Woodcock.

It will be McCartney’s second start in the number one jersey where he faces a fierce test from one of the world’s best scrummaging practitioners in Ben Franks.

Elsewhere in the forwards, Jerome Kaino has overcome a scratched eye to bolster the back of the pack at number eight, while Chris Lowrey has impressed with his pre-season performances to start at blindside flanker.

With Luke Braid managing just 40 minutes of rugby during the pre-season following surgery over the break, older brother Daniel Braid gets the first shot at making the number seven jersey his own.

In the backs, North Harbour livewire David Raikuna will make his Super Rugby debut after a stellar final pre-season hit-out against the Highlanders.

Rudi Wulf has also impressed in the pre-season and will start on the left wing as Rene Ranger moves into his favoured position of centre, joining Benson Stanley in the midfield.

On the bench, Brad Mika is poised to make his first appearance for the Blues since 2005 and forms an experienced bench alongside Weepu, Luke Braid and Tevita Mailau.

With George Moala and Lachie Munro unavailable due to injury and Ma’a Nonu still in Japan, the door has been opened for Auckland midfielder Hadleigh Parkes to make his first appearance for the Blues off the pine.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Alby Mathewson; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Brad Mika, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Hadleigh Parkes, 22 Sherwin Stowers.

Date: Friday, February 24
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)