7 May 2015

Changes to Blues lineup

12:37 pm on 7 May 2015

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has made a number of changes to his side, some through injury, for Friday night's Super Rugby game against the Rebels in Melbourne.

Captain Jerome Kaino and fullback Charles Piutau were both ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering injuries in last weekend's win over the Western Force.

The Blues stand-in captain Steven Luatua with team-mates.

The Blues stand-in captain Steven Luatua with team-mates. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Steven Luatua takes over the captaincy and the number eight position while Lolagi Visinia moves from wing to fullback.

The Blues first-five Ihaia West in action during their Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes at Eden Park in May.

The Blues first-five Ihaia West in action during their Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes at Eden Park in May. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Ihaia West gets a start at first-five with Dan Bowden not considered because of injury.

Prop Charlie Faumuina and hooker James Parsons are rested with Kirwan naming Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Angus Ta'avao in the front row.

There are potential debuts off the bench for Greg Pleasants-Tate and Joe Edwards with Simon Hickey looking for his first game of the season.

Blues:

1 Tony Woodcock

2 Keven Mealamu

3 Angus Ta'avao

4 Culum Retallick

5 Hayden Triggs

6 Akira Ioane

7 Brendon O'Connor

8 Steven Luatua (c)

9 Jimmy Cowan

10 Ihaia West

11 Tevita Li

12 George Moala

13 Francis Saili

14 Melani Nanai

15 Lolagi Visinia

Reserves:

16 Greg Pleasants-Tate

17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi

18 Sam Prattley

19 Josh Bekhuis

20 Joe Edwards

21 Jamison Gibson-Park

22 Simon Hickey

23 Hamish Northcott

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