Munro keen to get cracking

In between rowing surf boats to Rangitoto, racing dragon boats against Emirates Team New Zealand, getting dirty doing the Devonport Mud Run and being drilled at the Royal NZ Air Force Base, among other things, Northland's Lachie Munro and his Blues teammates are looking forward to doing what they know best - playing rugby.

The Blues kick off their 2012 Super 15 campaign tomorrow with a warm-up clash, against the Hurricanes at Whangarei's Toll Stadium, on the back of several months of tough training, doing nearly everything but playing rugby.

"The coaching staff really mixed up our pre-season training - we did tons of different things ... there were some hard sessions but we had a lot of fun. I think the team is keen to get on with it now and play some rugby," Munro said.

Following the pre-season, the 25-year-old said he and his teammates were "in pretty good nick" - including Rene Ranger, who was seriously injured part-way through the ITM Cup season last year.

Ranger is fit and is expected to make an appearance in the backline.

Meanwhile, Munro, who also plays fly half and fullback, will start on the wing.

"They [Pat Lam and coaching staff] will start me on the wing and then move me elsewhere in the second half. I'm not sure where that will be as they will probably try and give everyone a run - although there's still a few who have a couple of niggly injuries."

He said his goal for this weekend was to play well, lock down a position in the backline, and hold on to it for the season.

There is no shortage of competition for places within the team, who have retained the core of the side that reached the semifinals of last year's championship. Former Hurricanes player Ma'a Nonu (second five eighth) will not join the team until round three of the championship following his stint of Japanese club rugby. Newcomers including George Moala (wing), David Raikuna (wing) and Piri Weepu (halfback, first five eighth) have fitted in easily, Munro said.

"We're a pretty settled team who get on well, and we're excited about playing rugby for each other.

"The morale within the team is great this year, and by mixing up our training so far, we have had a bit of fun as well," Munro said.

Coach Pat Lam and his offsiders Bryce Woodward and Jeff Wilson are hopeful the team's off-field rapport translates to an effective working relationship on the field when they face a new-look Hurricanes squad tomorrow.

Lam said everyone in the team was hanging out for a hit-out after all the training. "It's about systems and combinations. The real crunch comes on February 24 when we open our season at home against the Crusaders. So we will give everyone a run on tomorrow and that will give us something to build on," Lam said, expecting the same from the Hurricanes, as the coaching staff shuffle their options.

The Blues will not add to the Hurricanes' motivation by playing Weepu this weekend. He is one of the World Cup-winning All Blacks that Lam still wants to get more out of in terms of fitness before he puts them in a game situation.

They are, he noted, five weeks behind their Super Rugby colleagues after their deserved break after last year's glory.

Kick-off tomorrow is at 2.30pm, at Whangarei's Toll Stadium. Tickets are children $5 (under five is free), adults $10 GA; $20 in grandstand.