Toeava benched by Blues

All Black centre Isaia Toeava has been dropped to the bench for the Blues' Super 14 match against tournament leaders the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

All Black centre Isaia Toeava has been dropped to the bench for the Blues' Super 14 match against tournament leaders the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.

His demotion is one of two personnel changes in the starting line-up named by coach David Nucifora.

Nucifora has reshuffled his outside backs, with winger David Smith coming into the run-on side, and Anthony Tuitavake moving from wing to take Toeava's berth at centre.

In the other change, half-back Taniela Moa has been promoted to the number nine jersey, with regular starter Danny Lee going into the bench.

The Blues head into the match having had a bye and looking to improve on their disappointing last-up performance, when they were beaten at home by the Brumbies in Round Nine.

Blues: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 David Smith, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Nick Evans, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell (c), 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Nick White, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Kurtis Haiu, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Danny Lee, 21 Isaia Toeava, 22 Ben Atiga.

Date: Friday, April 25
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Paul Honiss (New Zealand), Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official: Kane McBride (New Zealand)
Assessor: Stuart Beissel (New Zealand)