Rugby: Injuries force backline shuffle for Blues

Luke McAlister will be out for a week. Photo / Dean Purcell

Injuries to Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava has forced Blues coach Pat Lam to shuffle his backline for Friday's Super rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

In-form centre Jared Payne replaces Toeava at fullback while wing Rene Ranger moves into the midfield alongside Benson Stanley who replaces McAlister at second-five.

Lachie Munro will take his place in the starting lineup on the left wing.

McAlister is out for a week after picking up an ankle sprain in last Friday's win over the Highlanders.

Toeava has been ruled out for the remainder of the Super Rugby season with a reoccurrence of a stress fracture in his hip which will sideline him for six to eight weeks.

Lam has made another change in his starting forwards with Chris Lowrey replacing injured lock Anthony Boric in the second-row.

- NZPA