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Head coach Tana Umaga has rung the changes for the Blues’ New Zealand derby with the Hurricanes at Eden Park on Friday night.
A total of nine changes have been made to the team that started in the Round 2 loss to the Crusaders. The most notable inclusion is that of All Black Sevens star Akira Ioane, who will start for the first time in 2016.
Seven players come into the starting XV, while two positional tweaks have been made.
All Black Charlie Faumuina starts at prop after coming off the bench to help stabilise a wobbly scrum in last week’s loss. His All Black teammate Steven Luatua shifts to lock in order to make way for Ioane. Lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been relegated to the reserves.
In the backs, Lolagi Visinia replaces Matt Duffie at fullback, while Rene Ranger shifts from centre to replace Melani Nanai on the wing.
Japanese Rugby Wolrd Cup star Male Sa’u slots in at centre, while Bryn Hall and Ihaia West are restored as the halfback pairing.
Umaga wants his team to replicate their opening round performance, which saw them defeat the defending champion Highlanders, 33-31.
“What worked for us in the first game will work for us again if we just back that,” said the former All Blacks captain.
Despite scoring 33 points in their Round 1 win against the Highlanders, the Blues still average just 14 points across their last four games at home.
Since the Blues’ last win over the Hurricanes in 2014, they’ve won only one of their 12 matches against New Zealand opponents.
Blues
Lolagi Visinia, Rene Ranger, Male Su’a, George Moala, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Bryn Hall, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Jerome Kaino (capt), Josh Bekhuis, Steven Luatua, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kara Pryor, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Melani Nanai.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.