Three key players are back for the Blues Super Rugby match against the Highlanders tonight.
All Black Steven Luatua returns after suspension which allows coach Tana Umaga to rest Jimmy Tupou who has carried a significant workload in the opening six games.
Outstanding young flanker, Blake Gibson is back to full fitness to resume his openside loose forward role, while 21‑year‑old All Black Rieko Ioane earns a recall to the starting line‑up.
He will start at centre with fellow All Black George Moala moving to second five.
The replacements also include the long‑awaited return of Sonny Bill Williams after rupturing his Achilles at the Rio Olympics in August.
He is joined on the bench by fellow All Blacks Ofa Tu’ungafasi along with Maori All Blacks Billy Guyton and Akira Ioane.
The Blues will face Highlanders at 7.35pm tonight.
In other matches, the Bulls will meet the Sunwolves at 5.15 this afternoon while the Brumbies meet the Reds at 9.45 tonight.
The Blues team:
1 Pauliasi Manu, 2 James Parsons ©, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 4 Gerard Cowley‑Tuioti, 5 Scott Scrafton, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Steven Luatua; 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 12 George Moala, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14 Matt Duffie, 15 Michael Collins.
Source: Superxv.com
