Rugby: Kirkpatrick in reshuffled Blues

Daniel Kirkpatrick. Photo / Getty Images

Draft five-eighths Daniel Kirkpatrick will start his first game in a Blues side which has been given a serious makeover as they bid to claim a victory in South Africa.

Coach Pat Lam has introduced four new players - Kirkpatrick, Peter Saili, Serge Lilo and Anthony Boric - and rejigged his back quartet for Sunday's game against the Lions in Johannesburg.

Isaia Toeava returns from centre to fullback, Paul Williams moves from there to the left wing, Rene Ranger shuffles in a place to centre and Joe Rokocoko switches flanks.

Lam rejected any suggestion the back four moves were a concession that those players were picked for the wrong roles in last week's loss to the Cheetahs.

"Obviously from last week there are a lot of things we need to change and as you do that and change your game plan slightly you put guys in positions where you think they can offer. No one is playing in a new position. It is not a major, they have all played in those positions before," Lam said. Injured loose forwards Tom Chamberlain (thigh muscle) and Viliame Ma'afu (sternum) could not start.

The Blues may have one more change to make as reserve five-eighths Stephen Brett has been struggling with a knee complaint this week and has been bracketed on the bench with George Pisi.

The Blues' touring hopes hit a pothole last week with a shabby loss against the Cheetahs and their slim chances of making the playoffs now depend on a swag of unlikely scenarios. The Blues must also collect a bonus points victory against a Lions side which has failed to win a match this season.

Captain Keven Mealamu has failed to recover from a leg muscle strain. His place has been taken by Tom McCartney with Jerome Kaino to captain the side again.

Meanwhile the 21-year-old Kirkpatrick, an age-group World Cup winner, will start after six appearances from the bench in his first season with the Blues.

"He will bring a sense of excitement, he has been very patient right through and he is a young product coming through and it is a great opportunity for him and in age-group grades he was touted for big things," Lam said. This was an ideal time for him to start and take over the goalkicking.

The Blues were determined to end with a decent showing after their "worst performance" a week ago.