Blues turn it on late to smash Rebels as gun young lock finally stands
Despite Josh Canham’s best performance of the year and another encouraging display from Darby Lancaster, the Rebels have suffered their second straight loss after…
Teenage back Rieko Ioane will make his Super Rugby debut when he runs out for the Blues against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
Ioane, who turns 19 on Friday, is one of two personnel changes to the Blues’ starting side from their 23-19 defeat to the Hurricanes last weekend.
He replaces Rene Ranger, who drops out of the match-day 23, on the right wing.
Like older brother Akira, Ioane is a New Zealand Sevens representative and the pair appeared in two tournaments on the world circuit, playing starring roles, before rejoining the Blues in February.
In the forwards, lock Patrick Tuipulotu moves off the bench to replace Steven Luatua, who reverts to No.8 after a starting appearance in the engine room.
Akira Ioane, who wore the No.8 jersey against the Hurricanes, drops to the bench.
The match will be lock Josh Bekhuis’ 100th in Super Rugby, after 82 appearances for the Highlanders.
The loss to the Hurricanes was the Blues’ second in a row after an opening-round victory over the defending champion Highlanders.
The Reds are 0-3 after a 25-23 defeat to the Melbourne Rebels last weekend.
Blues: Lolagi Visinia, Rieko Ioane, Male Sa’u, George Moala, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Bryn Hall, Steven Luatua, Blake Gibson, Jerome Kaino (capt), Josh Bekhuis, Patrick Tuipulotu, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo, Hoani Matenga, Akira Ioane, Kara Pryor, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan.
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Despite Josh Canham’s best performance of the year and another encouraging display from Darby Lancaster, the Rebels have suffered their second straight loss after…
While the Blues coach Vern Cotter wasn't happy with his side's start after a week on the Sunshine Coast, the players saw the funny…
Harry Plummer spent 10 minutes in the sin bin over the tackle, but some of the commentators thought it was a tough call.
The centre was forced out of the game during halftime after being knocked out trying to make a tackle.
No one could believe how he could snap a pair of rugby boots.
After Melbourne scored the opening points, a sloppy play allowed the Blues to hit straight back.