Rugby: Blues make one change

Paul Williams has pushed Rudi Wulf to the wing, with Rene Ranger dropping to the bench. Photo / Getty Images

The Blues today made one change to their starting 15 to face the Highlanders in their Super 14 rugby match in Dunedin on Friday night, with Paul Williams brought in at fullback.

Williams, who was named on the bench in the Blues' defeat to the Hurricanes in round one partly because of a head knock, comes in at the expense of winger Rene Ranger, who drops to the reserves.

In a reshuffle, Rudi Wulf moves from fullback to the spot vacated by Ranger.

Coach Pat Lam said that, as was the case against the Hurricanes, the choice of the back three was a tough one, with four players - the other being winger Joe Rokocoko - in the mix.

He said Williams had recovered from his head knock and that meant Wulf could revert to his more usual position on the wing.

"It enables Paul to go back to fullback, Rudi to go back to where he normally plays and Rene to make an impact off the bench," Lam said.

"Again, we are blessed with having four good guys there."

Blues
Paul Williams, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Viliami Ma'afu, Serge Lilo, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Rene Ranger.

- NZPA