Nonu returns as Blues make four changes for Tahs

Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan has named his team to play the Waratahs at Eden Park in Auckland with four changes to the starting line up from last weekend.

In the only change to the forward pack, Peter Saili makes his first start since round six at number eight in place of Steven Luatua as Kirwan looks to inject more physicality into the Blues’ game.

“We wanted to pick a pack that was really physical,” Kirwan said. “The Waratahs are a big, strong pack so we’ve gone with Pete and he’s really physical so Steven will come off the bench later in the game and bring his spark.”

After Chris Noakes was ruled out of Friday’s clash earlier in the week following a concussion he sustained against the Hurricanes, Simon Hickey will start at first five-eighths.

Ma’a Nonu has bounced back from a tight calf to start at second five-eighths ahead of Jackson Willison and Kirwan said it was great to welcome back his backline enforcer.

“He’s been fantastic for us so far, he’s had a little bit of a bad run with his first injury and getting straight back into it he just tightened up a bit last week,” he said.

“He’s brought a lot of edge to us and I thought he played really well against the Highlanders and I’m really looking forward to him getting us over the advantage line and doing what Ma’a does best on Friday night.”

Frank Halai has also been reinstated to the starting XV ahead of George Moala after he produced strong cameo off the bench last week.

“George has been playing a heck of a lot and he’s been playing very well,” Kirwan said.

“We’ve asked him to play centre, left and right wing and I think he needs a break so after playing well off the bench last week we want to give Frank an opportunity to step up.”

Piri Weepu has been cleared to play and has been named on the bench alongside Ihaia West who is poised to make his Super Rugby debut after joining the franchise as a replacement player for the injured Baden Kerr just two weeks ago.

“Bryn has been playing really well so it will be great to have Piri’s experience on the bench and with Simon outside him and Ihaia who are both very young men, Piri’s experience will be really important so it’s great he’s been cleared to play,” Kirwan said.

On the importance of Friday’s match against the Waratahs, Kirwan said, “I don’t need to hide the fact how important this match is for the franchise, for the team and for our fans. “

“We said last week that against the Hurricanes if we lost away from home then we were going to be under pressure and we’re under pressure – we’ve just got to get out there and go hard. “

“It’s going to be a really physical game, I don’t know how many Wallabies they’ve got, I stopped counting so it’s going to be a great match up.”

Blues

15. Charles Piutau,14. Frank Halai,13. Francis Saili,12. Ma’a Nonu,11.
Lolagi Visinia,10. Simon Hickey,9. Bryn Hall,8. Peter Saili,7. Luke Braid,6.
Jerome Kaino,5. Tom Donnelly,4. Patrick Tuipulotu,3. Charlie Faumuina,2. Keven
Mealamu,1. Tony Woodcock

Replacements :16. James Parsons,17. Sam Prattley,18. Angus Ta’avao,19.
Hayden Triggs,20. Piri Weepu,21. Steven Luatua,22. Ihaia West,23. Pita Ahki