Fin Christie starts on Auckland Blues bench as fans prepare to flock to rugby in New Zealand
Scottish scrum-half Fin Christie will be on the bench for Auckland Blues tomorrow as elite rugby gets back up and running in front of packed houses in New Zealand.
Super Rugby Aotearoa (which is the Maori word for New Zealand, translated as “land of the long white cloud”) is the domestic competition among the five professional teams the Kiwis have managed to organise after their effective containment of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Hide AdChristie, pictured, who was born at Borders General Hospital and spent six years in Peebles and one in Aberdeen before his family emigrated, is replacement for No 9 but the 24-year-old will hope to get on for a taste of the action in what is expected to be a full house at New Zealand’s national stadium.
The match against Wellington Hurricanes kicks off at 4:30amBST tomorrow and is live on Sky Sports.
Legendary All Black Dan Carter, who has made a surprise return for the ten-week competition at the age of 38, is not yet up to full fitness and misses out this week. His heir as New Zealand playmaker, Beauden Barrett, who is the Blues’ star signing for the year, starts against his former team but at full-back as the capital side prepare for a dream backline containing both he and Carter.
“We’re mindful that Beaudy is an outstanding first five [stand-off],” Blues coach Leon MacDonald said after naming his team. “That’s not lost on us. But he’s a world-class full-back as well and we need that hole filled.
“At some point he will be in the front line, but right now this is the best fit for our team, the situation, where he’s at in terms of his integration back into rugby and the fact it’s his first game for the Blues. Then, in time, we’ll probably see him move forward [to No 10].”
All Blacks back-rower Ardie Savea will make his comeback from knee reconstruction surgery tomorrow, named on the bench for the Eden Park clash.
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Hide AdFirst up this morning, Otago Highlanders face Waikato Chiefs, 8:30amBST.
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