The Blues are confident their All Black lock Patrick Tuipulotu will be cleared to play against the Rebels at Eden Park on Saturday, despite bracketing him with Hoani Matenga today.
Tuipulotu, who is recovering from a broken hand suffered in the victory over the Jaguares on April 2, is likely to come through today's training and tomorrow's captain's run, according to coach Tana Umaga today. If so he will be named in the second row alongside Josh Bekhuis.
The only other change is the return of centre George Moala, a straight swap for Rene Ranger, who out for the rest of the year after rupturing an ACL ligament in the win over the Sharks a fortnight ago.
Moala, who scored a try against the Sharks soon after coming on for Ranger at Eden Park before last weekend's bye, will be glad of the opportunity. An All Black last year, Moala has struggled for opportunities with coach Tana Umaga preferring Piers Francis at second-five.
The game marks the final game this season for brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane before they move to the All Blacks sevens squad in the build-up for the Rio Olympics.
