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Blues welcome back enforcers Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipulotu for Waratahs clash

May 3, 2018
Blues flanker Jerome Kaino with a stong carry during the Super 15 Rugby match - Chiefs v Blues played at FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand on Saturday 7 April 2018.

Copyright photo: © Bruce Lim / www.photosport.nz

The Blues welcome back their stars in time for their Waratahs clash in Sydney on Saturday, with enforcer Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tupuilotu named to start.

Tuipulotu was unavailable for the Blues last Saturday when they went down 20-13 to the Jaguares due to a virus with Kaino sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury.

Blues skipper Augustine Pulu has been given the nod to wear the No. 9 jersey after last week coming off the bench.

"We have some key players starting to slowly return over the next couple of weeks but it is welcome news to have these three players back, not just with their rugby ability but especially their experience," said Blues coach Tana Umaga.

Augustine Pulu of the Blues looks on. Super Rugby match, Blues v Chiefs at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand. 2 March 2018 © Copyright Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung / www.photosport.nz

Pulu partners up with Stephen Perofeta to guide the team around the park with Rieko Ioane named at second five.

Caleb Clarke will make his debut for the Blues on the left wing, fully recovered from appendicitis which ruled him out of the All Black Sevens team's Commonwealth Games campaign.

Matt Duffie keeps his starting spot at fullback for the Blues.

"It is back to the basics again for us. We need to win our set piece and the collision, hold our discipline, play positively with patience with some go-forward ball, communicate well and defend to plan," said Umaga.

"We are working hard. Each week we do some things well but one or two things let us down. We know this is a tough test with our young and inexperienced team, but we are ready to put a performance together."

Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Tumua Manu, 13 Orbyn Leger, 12 Rieko Ioane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Augustine Pulu (c); 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 James Parsons, 1 Ross Wright.

Reserves: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Pauliasi Manu, 18 Mike Tamoaieta, 19 Ben Nee-Nee/Lyndon Dunshea, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Dan Kirkpatrick, 23 Terrence Hepetema.

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