Super 14: Wulf confident over wrist in Blues return

Rudi Wulf. Photo / Getty Images

Winger Rudi Wulf is confident his repaired wrist will stand up to the task tomorrow night when he makes his first appearance of the Super 14 rugby season for the Blues.

Wulf, 25, broke the wrist during a pre-season friendly against the Queensland Reds.

"One of the boys landed on it in training," he said.

"So I've got the confidence back and don't have to worry about it in the game."

After coming through 50 minutes of club rugby while the Blues had their bye last weekend, he has been included in the starting 15 to face the Lions in Auckland.

Wulf, whose performances for the franchise last season led to his elevation into the test ranks, admitted that it would be a big step up from club to Super 14 rugby.

"It's pretty different, just the level and the intensity and the hype," he said.

"I'm pretty excited and there are a few nerves, but I'll be more excited than nervous to run out at Eden Park."

While Wulf was frustrated at the amount of time he spent on the sidelines, one positive was that it wasn't as long as the year he was out after a swimming pool accident.

In 2005, he fractured neck vertebrae after a head-first dive into a pool.

"I've been through it before and had to sit out a whole season," he said.

"This is half a season so I'm pretty happy I still get to play a few games and to start this week. I really want to put my hand up and keep my spot."

Wulf's inclusion in one of six changes to the Blues' starting 15.

They include the standing down of halfback Taniela Moa, who has been replaced by Chris Smylie.

Moa faces a New Zealand Rugby Union hearing next week over a bottle-throwing incident at an Auckland rugby club on March 28.

Apart from Wulf, there are two other players returning from injury in first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea and flanker Josh Blackie.

The Blues are in a precarious position, down in ninth place, and with coach Pat Lam saying finals football had arrived early for his team.

Although the Blues are only five points outside the top four, their recent form has been a concern.

Since returning from South Africa, they have lost three of their past four games, three of which were at home and the other in nearby Hamilton.

Wulf said the message from the coaching staff was for the players to back themselves and the talent that was in the squad.

"A lot of it is to do with attitude," he said.

"We want to play the game we're known for as an exciting team. It just having a go and showing the talent we have, because we have a lot of skilfull players here."

The Lions, who were coming off a long flight from Johannesburg, showed their quality by giving the high-flying Chiefs a scare before being overtaken in Hamilton last weekend.

"They were unlucky to go down last week," Wulf said.

"I'm sure they've tuned into the time zone now and they won't be affected by jet lag."

- NZPA