Blues lock Josh Bekhuis will miss his first game of the Super Rugby season after failing to get over a calf injury.
Bekhuis has been replaced by Hoani Matenga in one of two changes to the starting line-up to face the Lions on Sunday (NZ time) in Johannesburg.
A key member of the Blues’ pack, Bekhuis tweaked the calf in the 34-18 win over the Kings last weekend in Port Elizabeth.
The former Highlander brought up his 100th Super Rugby appearance earlier in the year and, along with winger Tevita Li and loose forward Steven Luatua, has played in every Blues match this season.
The other change to the run-on side is in the front row.
With coach Tana Umaga expecting a big battle up front, All Black Charlie Faumuina comes in for Ofa Tu’ungafasi, who goes to the bench.
The Blues are seventh in the Australasian group, six points out of a top-five playoff spot but with a game in hand.
The Lions’ last outing before their bye last round resulted in a 50-17 drubbing at home against the Hurricanes, but they remain second in the South African group.
Blues: Lolagi Visinia, Melani Nanai, George Moala, Piers Francis, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Bryn Hall, Steven Luatua, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Hoani Matenga, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons (capt), Sam Prattley. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kara Pryor, Joe Edwards, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Male Sa’u.
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.
The Reds face a tough assignment this weekend playing the Blues. Alex Hodgman gives Christy Doran and Matt Toomua an insight into repping NZ…
Stephen Larkham’s Brumbies went across the ditch intent on making a statement against one of Super Rugby’s title contenders. By half-time the match was…
Fiji rugby's long season of success has come to a sudden end when the Fijian Drua were beaten 34-10 by the Blues in the…
With rugby’s off-season dominated by Eddie Jones’ shift to Japan, and the confirmation that Rugby Australia really doesn’t have any money, the start of…
Winger Mark Telea scored four tries for the Blues who beat the Wellington-based Hurricanes 36-25 to stiffen their challenge for a Super Rugby Pacific top-four place.…
What more does Nicho Hynes have to do to earn a starting 17 spot in Origin 1?
