Francis back for Blues against Waratahs
May 4, 2017 - 12:09 AM Five-eighth Piers Francis returns from a wrist injury in the only change to the Blues team to face the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.Bryn Gatland makes way for Francis, who was ruled out on the day of their 18-12 victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.
It continues a good week for Northampton-bound Francis, who has been selected to make his England debut on their looming tour of Argentina.
Coach Tana Umaga remains without a number of key players, including flanker Jerome Kaino, lock Patrick Tuipulotu and centre Rene Ranger.
However, he was pleased with what he saw in Canberra, following a good week's preparation in Australia.
He expects little between the teams at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
"We are very evenly matched in stats this year in most parts of the game so we are expecting a very hard encounter," he said.
"They are a quality side across the park with mobile forwards; they are excellent at the breakdown and have some world-class running backs."
The Blues (4-5), who are last in the New Zealand Conference, have lost their last six games against the Waratahs (3-6) in Sydney.
Blues: Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, George Moala, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Piers Francis, Augustine Pulu, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Steven Luatua, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons (capt), Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Sione Mafileo, Leighton Price, Murphy Taramai, Billy Guyton, Bryn Gatland, Melani Nanai.
Source: AAP
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