Northern quartet kick off for squad

William Whetton will be the first Northlander to take the field for the Blues Development team this year after being named in their starting line-up to play the Crusader Knights in Auckland today.

Four of Northland's six players named in the Blues Development squad have made the team, with Matt Wallace, Jake Heenan and Derek Carpenter all being named on the bench.

The side will be led by former All Black Anthony Boric, who will return to the field after nearly a year on the sidelines recovering from a neck injury.

Boric is one of 13 Blues players named in the development team alongside up-and-coming talent from across Northland, Auckland and North Harbour.

Blues Development coach Bevan Cadwallader said Boric's presence on the field would prove valuable and it was good to see him back playing.

"Anthony has been progressing well, and he is working hard to get a starting spot in the Blues," said Cadwallader. "He will bring a massive amount of ability and experience to the game but it is more about him just getting into some work."

For many of the players it will be their first game of the season and while the team have only had a handful of trainings together Cadwallader is confident they will perform.

"There will be a lot of new combinations out there but I trust they'll warm to the task quickly and get into their jobs.

"We have to bear in mind we will have guys coming in and out of the squad due to their Blues commitments but we are working with a common purpose and this goal is achievable."

Blues high performance manager Nick Sheppard said the programme was vital to the franchise in the identification and development of young players.

While most players had experience at ITM Cup level, Sheppard said the development programme was an opportunity to expose players to a higher level of rugby.

"In the last three years we have seen players like Francis Saili, Steven Luatua and Charles Piutau come through this programme - so we know this path produces results."

This game is the first in a five-match schedule for the Blues development team and Cadwallader said the aim was to win all five.

The match kicks off 1.30pm at Pakuranga Rugby Club.

Blues Development: Tim Perry, Gafatasi Su'a, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Patrick Tuipolotu, Ronald Raaymakers, William Whetton, Sean Polwart, Joe Edwards (captain), Wayne Ngaluafe, Marty McKenzie, Tevita Li, Pita Ahki, Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo, Lolagi Visinia. Reserves: Nathan Vella, Matt Wallace, Anthony Boric, Jake Heenan, Kane Barrett, Jamison Gibson-Park, Cody Rei, Alex Woonton, Derek Carpenter.