Blues roll out the big guns for Waratahs

SYDNEY - The Blues will whistle up part of their All Black contingent for next weekend's pre-Super 14 rugby trial against the Waratahs as momentum builds towards their competition opener against the Hurricanes on February 10.

Coach David Nucifora indicated his All Blacks would shake off their Grand Slam hangover in Gosford on Saturday night after watching from the sideline at Ballymore on Saturday night as an inexperienced Blues team succumbed to Queensland 29-14.

Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu will all see game time against the Waratahs, who did not plan to field their Wallabies until their final trial against the Crusaders in Sydney on February 4.

"They only joined us on Friday, and all things being equal if they get through training this week they'll play against the Waratahs," Nucifora said from the team's Gold Coast base.

Nucifora was satisfied with the hit-out, which saw his raw recruits fight back after giving the Reds a 22-point head start in muggy conditions.

"There were 10 blokes playing for the Blues for the first time.

"It was a good hit-out for us though we gave up some soft tries in the first half."

Nucifora singled out new lock Anthony Boric and utility forward Kurtis Haiu, who started at blindside before switching to lock after Boric (concussion) and Greg Rawlinson (shoulder) departed.

Rawlinson was rested as a precaution and the injury did not require a scan.

"He got a bump on his shoulder but it doesn't look serious. We could have sent him out again if we really needed to," Nucifora said.

- NZPA