Moala gets a crack at Chiefs
Blues coach John Kirwan has made just one injury-enforced change to the starting XV for Friday's crunch Super Rugby match against the Chiefs.
With midfielder Francis Saili suffering a high ankle sprain in the lead up to last week's clash with the Reds and Jackson Willison succumbing to a hamstring strain during the game, George Moala has been promoted from the bench to start at outside centre.
"George has played there all year and has done a great job for us so I have no issues at all," Kirwan said.
"One of the positive things was that when we had Francis fall over on Wednesday, Jackson Willison stepped up and he got injured in the first half and then George stepped in and we were pretty seamless which was fantastic."
Kirwan has decided to leave captain Luke Braid out of the side rather than risk rushing him back too early.
"For me the biggest decision was around Braidy and whether he was 100 per cent and we've decided that he's about 90 per cent so we're going to give him a rest," he said.
"It's great having the privilege of Brendon who is playing incredibly well so that's the nice thing about creating a full squad now. You've got guys that are transitioning in without too much hassle."
Prop Sam Prattley has overcome a neck injury to be included on the bench ahead of Ofa Tu'ungafasi, while Pita Ahki is also named in the reserves in place of the promoted Moala.
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Lolagi Visinia, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Peter Saili, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Steven Luatua, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Pita Ahki.
Date: Friday, May 9
Venue: Yarrow Stadium, Taranaki
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
