Kaino blow for Blues
The winless Blues suffered another huge blow, with confirmation that captain Jerome Kaino will not play in Friday's Super Rugby clash against the Hurricanes in Palmerston North.
Kaino, who was doubtful ahead of last week's 10-13 loss to the Lions, failed a concussion test on the day after the game.
Steven Luatua has been moved to No.8, with Luke Braid to captain the side from No.6 and Brendon O'Connor returning to No.7.
He suffered another head knock in the 20th minute of the loss to the Lions loss last Saturday, but passed an in-game concussion test.
He was later diagnosed with delayed concussion.
"He felt good during the game but just progressively got worse after the game and then the next day," coach John Kirwan said.
Veteran All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan, who has a knee strain, is bracketed with Jamison Gibson-Park at No.9, with the rest of the backline unchanged.
The Blues will feature and all-All Black front row for the first time this season on Friday.
Tony Woodcock, James Parsons and Charlie Faumuina were named to start in Friday's game, with record-setting hooker Keven Mealamu to come off the bench.
The quartet boast 397 Super Rugby caps between them.
Akira Ioane comes into the reserves at loose forward, Bryn Hall (who missed last Friday's Blues A match against the Argentina Pampas with a back injury), is bracketed at scrumhalf as he seeks his first start of the year, while George Moala is on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.
Not considered because of injury is Dan Bowden (foot injury) and Blake Gibson – who is likely to be available for club rugby next week.
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Charles Piutau, 12 Francis Saili, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jimmy Cowan/Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Luke Braid (captain), 6 Brendon O'Connor, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao/Sam Prattley, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Gibson-Park/Bryn Hall, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 George Moala.
Date: Friday, March 13
Venue: FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
Kick-off: 19.35 (06.35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
TMO: Aaron Paterson (New Zealand)
