Rugby: Flanker gets call-up for injury-ravaged Blues

Tom Chamberlain will make his Super 14 debut against the Hurricanes on Friday. Photo / Greg Bowker

The injury-ravaged Blues today made a raft of changes to their side to face competition leaders the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night, including giving a Super 14 rugby debut to flanker Tom Chamberlain.

With the Blues having four front-line loose forwards on the casualty list, Chamberlain, 22, has been plucked out of North Harbour club rugby to wear the No 7 jersey.

His inclusion is one of seven changes to the starting 15 that began the home defeat against the Queensland Reds last weekend.

There is a recall on the right wing for Rene Ranger, who was stood down against the Reds because of an off-the-field incident at Matakana, north of Auckland, the previous weekend.

Police are due to announce the outcome of their inquiries into the incident later this week, while Ranger is due to appear before a New Zealand Rugby Union misconduct hearing next week.

Skipper Keven Mealamu returns as starting hooker after getting a spell in the reserves last Saturday.

Lock Jay Williams partners All Black brother Ali Williams, in place of Anthony Boric, who is out for the rest of the season with a fractured toe.

At first five-eighth, former Hurricane Jimmy Gopperth is back as starter, replacing Tasesa Lavea, who aggravated a hamstring problem against the Reds.

Blues
Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Jimmy Gopperth, Taniela Moa, Jerome Kaino, Tom Chamberlain, Kurtis Haiu, Ali Williams, Jay Williams, Tevita Mailau, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Dean Budd, Peter Saili, Grayson Hart, Michael Hobbs, Paul Williams.

- NZPA