Blues labeled as “underdogs”

John Kirwan has labelled his Blues the “underdogs” as they head into Friday night's Eden Park clash against the struggling Queensland Reds without their influential skipper Luke Braid.

This may just be mind games from the canny coach, but the Blues mentor is adamant his team is up against it as they confront a desperate Reds side without the bruising Braid who is out with a shoulder injury.

All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu assumes the captaincy as the Blues look to work their way off the foot of an ultra-tight New Zealand conference.

On Friday the Blues will take on the Reds at 7.35pm.

Story by: Aliki Bia