Blues wing Rieko Ioane and first-five Otere Black have recovered from injury and have travelled with the team to Pretoria ahead of Sunday's match against the Bulls but the news isn't as positive for Akira Ioane, who has missed the trip.
Coach Leon MacDonald said he had room for only one specialist No8 among the loose forward make-up, and that the impressive form of Hoskins Sotutu meant Akira, Rieko's older brother, missed out.
"This will allow Akira to continue his preparations at home to be fast and ready to add fresh input to the team on our return to take on the Hurricanes in three weeks," MacDonald said.
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It is a stunning reversal for the big No8, who played virtually every minute of every match for the Blues over the past two seasons and has played only 12 this year – off the reserves bench in the win over the Waratahs in Newcastle.