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Piri Weepu of the Blues - Source: Photosport -
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Piri Weepu gets the chance to show his skills at No 10 for his new Super Rugby outfit when the Blues play the Rebels in Melbourne tomorrow night.
Pat Lam's search for the right playmaker to make a push for an overdue title now officially includes the versatile All Blacks halfback who has shifted north from the Hurricanes.
Weepu will play outside his former Wellington rival Alby Mathewson and have another man from the capital outside him with Michael Hobbs pushing out to second five having had half a game at No 10 last week against the Canes in Whangarei.
Rookie Gareth Anscombe, the other contender for No 10 duties, sits on the bench for this preseason match across the Tasman.
"If we're going to try Piri at 10, now is the time to do it and we'll see how he goes. Michael Hobbs and Gareth Anscombe both did well at 10 last week so now it's a chance for Piri," Lam said.
Isaia Toeava and Ali Williams are other All Blacks returning to the side with Toeava starting at fullback and Williams in his traditional No 5 jersey.
Making a welcome return to join Williams in the second row will be lock Liaki Moli.
A shoulder injury and surgery kept Moli off the field for the duration of last year's Blues season and most of Auckland's campaign.
The same can be said for Daniel Braid whose on-field time was minimal in 2011 due to injury.
This weekend he is in the starting line-up but his brother Luke Braid is still not fit to play.
"A key focus for us in this game is re-introducing the players who are coming back from injury or extended breaks such as Piri, Ali, Isaia and Liaki," Lam said.
"Most of these guys should get around 40 minutes."
Blues: Isaia Toeava, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Michael Hobbs, Sherwin Stowers, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau.
Reserves: Benson Stanley, Hadleigh Parkes, Lachie Munro, Rudi Wulf, Gareth Anscombe, Angus Ta'avao, Teofilo Paulo, Anthony Boric, Brad Mika, James Parsons, Dan Pryor, Peter Saili.
