RABODIRECT REBELS TO FACE FORMIDABLE OPPONENT

The RaboDirect Rebels will tackle a strong Auckland Blues outfit when the two teams clash in both team’s second trial match of the 2012 season at AAMI Park this Saturday night.

With 11 current or former All Blacks in the Blues squad that will make the trip to Melbourne, the Rebels will face a formidable opponent in the build-up to their 2012 FxPro Super Rugby campaign.

Head Coach Damien Hill is under no illusions about the size of the task at hand, but believes playing such quality opposition is the best way to prepare for the gruelling season ahead.

“We’ve got a great test coming up against the Blues given their performances over the last couple of seasons and the quality of the squad they have at their disposal,” said Hill.

“They’re two games out from their first game of their Super Rugby season as well so we expected them to send a very strong team.”

Despite last week’s 36-0 scoreline in the first trial game against the Chiefs, Hill hasn’t deviated from the way the team is preparing for the season ahead.

“We haven’t changed the way we’ve trained or prepared too much this week,” said Hill.

“We haven’t gone away from the basics, we're looking to build for the opening round.

“We have a number of things to test against the Blues, and they’re a quality opposition to test ourselves against.”

Centre Mitch Inman, Flyhalf James Hilgendorf and hooker Adam Freier all return to the match day squad after missing last week’s trial game through injury. Captain Stirling Mortlock will miss the game as he continues his recovery from a minor knee injury.

While last week’s game was played over four 20-minute quarters, this week’s game will return to the more customary format of two 40-minute halves. Hill will change his team considerably from one half to the next (see team below).

The main game kicks-off at 7.40pm, while the curtain-raiser will showcase the best young talent from the elite development program, Rebel Rugby, in an internal 10-a-side match from 5.15pm.

Get tickets for the clash at www.ticketek.com.au.

Team to face the Blues at AAMI Park on Saturday night: