Auckland Blues trial three props
by Huw Turner
January 19, 2001

In what is probably a first for a Super 12 team, the Blues are conducting a
week-long trial for just one position.

Blues coach Frank Oliver has invited three props to Auckland for a week of
fitness and prop skills testing. As part of the trial all three will take
part in a friendly game against the Chiefs in Hamilton.

The three props under scrutiny are Tim Knight (Northland), Tevita
Taumoepeau (North Harbour), and Tama Tuirirangi (Taranaki).

Initially the Blues had considered contracting a player from off-shore, but
ideally would prefer to find a New Zealand-based player.

Frank Oliver said it was in the short and long-term interests of the team to find and develop a New Zealand or Blues franchise-based player.

The props' first test will be a "live scrum" controlled in match conditions
by referee Steve Walsh on Monday 22 January at Western Springs. They will also be asked to do a 3km fitness test and will join the Blues for training for the rest of the week before travelling to Hamilton on Saturday
for a warm-up game with the Chiefs.

Tim Knight (30) has played 37 first class games for Northland. The 121kg
specialist tighthead prop also played for the Vikings against Scotland last
year. Tevita Taumoepeau (26) has played for Tonga at the World Cup and against the All Blacks. The 119kg tighthead prop played for Bay of Plenty in the 2000 NPC and recently transferred to North Harbour.

Tama Tuirirangi, 22, played for the Taranaki NPC team and the Hurricanes in
2000. The 115kg prop has also played in the New Zealand Under 19 team.

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