Tuipulotu set for Blues Super Rugby return

All Black lock Patrick Tuipulotu is set to make his return for the Blues after missing two games with a fractured hand.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu is set to return to Super Rugby action for the Blues after recovering from a hand injury.

The 23-year-old, who this month signed a new deal with New Zealand Rugby until the end of 2019, fractured his hand at the start of the month against the Jaguares.

He is bracketed with Hoani Matenga for Saturday's match against the Melbourne Rebels at Eden Park - one of only two changes to the side who beat the Sharks two weeks ago.

George Moala returns at centre for the injured Rene Ranger for what will be his 49th Super Rugby match.

Brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane both play their final match for the Blues before they return to the All Blacks' Sevens squad.

Blues: Lolagi Visinia, Rieko Ioane, George Moala, Piers Francis, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Bryn Hall, Steven Luatua, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Josh Bekhuis, Patrick Tuipulotu/Hoani Matenga, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Sam Prattley. Res: Quentin MacDonald, Nic Mayhew/Namatahi Waa, Ofa Tuungafasi, Akira Ioane, Kara Pryor, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Melani Nanai/Matt Duffie.


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Source: AAP



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