Paul Williams back at last in Super 14

There's added interest in tomorrow's Super 14 warm-up game between the Highlanders and Crusaders in Queenstown.

Both teams open their pre-season campaigns, and there will be plenty of interest in the performance of Highlanders fullback Paul Williams.

It will be Williams' first run back in the southern outfit since badly breaking his leg almost three years ago in a shocking incident on Carisbrook.

Williams said it is still creating a few problems, but they can be managed, and all he needs now is more game time.

His aims for the Super 14 are very clear.

He wants to get as much game time as possible, return to form and make a big contribution to the Highlanders.

Williams played for Auckland "B" in last year's NPC season, but is as yet unsigned for the new NPC Premier Division.

Meanwhile, the Blues travel to Brisbane to play the Reds in stifling heat, then travel to Gosford to play New South Wales next weekend.

Blues coach David Nucifora said the week long trip is a great chance to look at all his players.

Nucifora said they are taking 28 fulltime players, plus seven training squad players and all of them will see game time over the two matches.

Nucifora sees the clash with the Reds as a good challenge, as the squad flies out on Friday, and has to adjust to a three hour time difference, as well as 30 degree heat at night time.

The match will be played in four quarters, with unlimited substitutions.

In Perth, as many as 20,000 people could turn up to watch the Western Force's first competitive run-out, although it may not reveal much about the prospects of Australia's newest rugby franchise.

Western Australia will officially welcome rugby union into its sporting landscape on Saturday, with the Force taking on Super 14's other newcomer, South Africa's Central Cheetahs, in a four quartered trial match at Subiaco Oval.

But despite the anticipation around Perth, coach John Mitchell said he is wary of giving up one of his key assets, which is the element of surprise.

As well as holding back his Wallabies from the game, Junior Pelesasa, Lachlan MacKay and Luke Doherty have not been considered for selection because of injury.

Instead, Mitchell has named a squad of 27 that includes 19 players yet to play at Super 14 level.

- NEWSTALK ZB