Blues shift Rieko Ioane to 12
Blues head coach Tana Umaga has made seven changes to his starting XV and shifted Rieko Ioane to inside centre for the clash with the Sharks at Eden Park on Saturday.
With the loss of Sonny Bill Williams to a wrist injury that will see the mercurial playmaker sidelined for six weeks, it allows the opportunity to experiment with Rieko Ioane at inside centre for the first time in the youngster’s career. Ioane will pair up alongside fellow All Black George Moala in the midfield.
There is also a new starting halfback combination with scrum-half Jonathan Ruru rewarded with the number nine jersey alongside fly-half Stephen Perofeta, coming in for Sam Nock and Bryn Gatland.
Right wing Jordan Trainor and North Harbour prop Mike Tamoaieta make their Super Rugby starting debuts in place of Matt Duffie and Ofa Tu’ungafasi, while Northland’s Josh Goodhue comes in for Gerard Cowley-Tuioti at lock.
Blues: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Jordan Trainor, 13 George Moala, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Jerome Kaoino, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Goodhue, 3 Mike Tamoaieta, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 TJ Faiane
Date: Saturday, March 31
Venue: Eden Park
Kick-off: 19:35 local (06:35 GMT)
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Angus Mabey (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)