Braid, Smith miss Blues' SA tour

The Blues leave on Sunday for a three-match Super 14 tour of South Africa without injured loose forward Daniel Braid and star wing David Smith.

The Blues leave on Sunday for a three-match Super 14 tour of South Africa without injured loose forward Daniel Braid and star wing David Smith.

Braid is still recovering from pre-season shoulder surgery, while Smith is the unlucky one of the squad's exceptionally talented wings to miss out on the trip – which will see the Blues face the Lions in Johannesburg next Saturday (February 23), The Cheetahs in Bloemfontein and week later and the Sharks in Durban on March 8.

Blues coach David Nucifora was in a positive frame of mind after the Auckland-based franchise opened their Super 14 campaign with a 32-14 win over the Chiefs at the weekend.

“I am pretty rapped with that result,” Nucifora said, adding it was the perfect result ahead of the tough trip to South Africa.

“That game [against the Chiefs] means a lot to us, not only because it is the first game of the season, but beating the Chiefs means a lot to this team.

“The nature of the victory and how well the team played also means a lot to us, and gives us a really strong foundation to build on going forward [to South Africa],” Nucifora added.

Blues squad: John Afoa, Ben Atiga, Anthony Boric, Justin Collins, Bryn Evans, Nick Evans, Troy Flavell, Jamie Helleur, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Tom McCartney, Danny Lee, Keven Mealamu, Taniela Moa, Bronson Murray, Isa Nacewa, George Pisi, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Anthony Tuitavake, Nick White, Nick Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.