Blues set to start Noakes at 10

Blues set to start Noakes at 10

18th February 2014 07:31

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Back in the saddle: Chris Noakes

Chris Noakes is set to start at fly-half for the Blues when they face the Highlanders in their season opener in Dunedin on Saturday.

The 28-year-old, who has started most of the Auckland-based franchise's pre-season matches on the replacements bench, is set to replace rugby league convert Benji Marshall in the starting line-up.

Despite taking a back-seat to Marshall in those games, Noakes is backing himself to perform if given the opportunity to start.

"I was always confident in what I could do," Noakes told TVNZ.

"Benji's arrival hasn't thrown me or dented my confidence."

Noakes played 12 matches for the Blues in 2014 and has now jumped ahead of Marshall in the pecking order.

"If we don't think that Benji's quite ready then we won't expose him," said Blues boss John Kirwan.

"Like I've always said this is a long term project so we're running him a bit more these first few days at full-back."

With Noakes set to wear the number 10 jersey this weekend, Marshall could still be included in Blues' starting line-up.

All Black utility back Charles Piutau could be sidelined with a leg injury which could see Marshall starting at full-back.

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 It seems that finally sir Kirwan will introduce Marshall little by little. I think is the best way

hmmmm dont agree brother basque, highalnderds are NZs weakest team, so its a great opportunity for mashall to bloody himself in the gladiatorial arena of spXV rugby.

marshall is a superstar who can handle the pressure, so i say throw him in the deep end and tell him to sink or swim mofo.

that ttype of pressure is how marshall will develop into the player we all know he can be.
save the cotton wool approach for others, hes 28 and time is not a friend for his rugby ambitions .

  I knew you were going to disagree, mate.
Your arguments are valids but if the Blues' coaching staff who is looking after his progression in the union code is afraid of starting him at 10, they'll have their reasons....
Appart from the importance of the flyhalf spot, I think that the much bigger pressure of the union's defenses is a big factor.

@basquefan,

if the preseason is anything to go by, then blues coaching staff have plenty of reasons to not start him, but to start noakes who is huge defensive liability gets the uchiha clan thumbs down.

end of the day, playing benji of the bench is the safe option, but the blues who won three super rugby titles were anything but safe.

i wish benji all the best and hope he achieves his union goals as quickly as he achieved his league accomplishments.

also wish henry would just take over the the blues head coaching job, as i have little faith in JKs coaching abilities.

 Early days and i probably would have started Baden Kerr at standoff after the stellar seaon he had for Ranfurly Shield holders Counties Manukau..

 

Did i mention that Counties are the proud holders of the Ranfurly Shield..??? That's what i'm talking about...

 

Another problem for Auckland is they're weakened by an injury to Piutau i think , their main strike weapon so they might struggle especially if Ben Smith starts cutting them up...