SUPER 15
ASHBURTON GUARDIAN, Friday April 19, 2013
23
www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
Blues looking Whitelocks out in force at new setup
for South Island derby Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock will earn his 50th Super Rugby cap when his side host the Highlanders in Christchurch tomorrow night, and one of his brothers could also achieve the same milestone in the game. Outside back Adam has been named on the bench for the game and if he is summoned from the pine he will bring up his half century. Sam’s return to the starting XV is one of three changes from Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder to the side who lost 16-14 to the Western Force in Perth last week as flanker Matt Todd and wing Zac Guildford will also start. All four Whitelock brothers are named in the match-day 22 for this weekend, with Luke at No 8 and George at blindside flanker, while their cousin Ben Funnell is the reserve hooker. “The team are excited to be home again and playing at AMI Stadium. “We’ve been travelling for three weeks and there is nothing like hearing the roar of the home crowd.
“We hope Crusader fans will give the boys a home-coming to remember,” Blackadder said. “There is nothing like a classic southern derby to bring out the best in both the Crusaders and the Highlanders. “It is always a great game with an amazing atmosphere and with both teams hungry for the win there is sure to be plenty of passion on the field this Saturday.” The Crusaders are in ninth place on the Super Rugby ladder after eight rounds, while the Highlanders are still searching for their first win after starting the season with seven straight losses. - APNZ
Crusaders Crusaders team to play the Highlanders at AMI Stadium tomorrow night: Israel Dagg, Tom Marshall, Robbie Fruean, Ryan Crotty, Tyler Bleyendaal, Andy Ellis; Luke Whitelock, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Owen Franks, Corey Flynn, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Ben Funnell, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Jordan Taufua, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Adam Whitelock. George Whitelock
By Wynne Gray
A syndicate keen on bankrolling and running the Blues hopes the deal will be completed soon. Talks between the group, headed by businessman Murray Bolton, and the NZRU have advanced as the Blues’ playing fortunes have improved. The syndicate plans a multimilliondollar investment with a new board set up to run the Blues next season amid ideas about creating an enhanced professional set-up. While the Blues will continue to play at Eden Park, one idea is that they will work and train at a new venue away from their current set-up in Mt Albert. Any plans will have to be ratified by a new six-person board made up of three independent members and three from Auckland, North Harbour and Northland. A new executive would manage the team and contract out other services while the Auckland union, who have often doubled up on Blues duty, will be left to concentrate more on the ITM Cup and club rugby. The NZRU likes the scheme because it cuts some of their risk, gives them a cash injection and should sharpen franchise governance. Stakeholders also believe it will
decrease some of the petty bickering among member provinces, conflict about player signings and feelings that the Blues have been used to fix Auckland’s woes at the expense of other provinces. “It’s going well, it’s close to being finished. “We are preparing legal documents,” NZRU chief executive Steve Tew confirmed yesterday. “That was the last information I had at the board meeting and, of course, until people sign it. We’ve had draft agreements looked at for a long time. I’d be surprised if it’s not done in the next two or three weeks.” When contacted about the deal, Bolton confirmed it was progressing. “There’s no sense though in me adding anything at this stage,” he said. Bolton owns Corporate Cabs, is chairman of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and is a former chief executive of Brierley Investments and the Skellerup Group. He is apparently passionate about rugby and has grandiose long-term ideas about creating an improved professional Blues franchise to rival other global sporting groups. Tew said a new board would determine any changes. “They’re going to run the place, they’re taking the risk and they can do what they like within the realms of being sensible,” he said. - NZH
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