Blues name team for Super Rugby opener

The Blues head into the opening round of Super Rugby against the Rebele in Melbourne on Thursday 23 February.

Coach Tana Umaga announced his team that includes a Super Rugby debut for Michael Collins and a Blues debut for Augustine Pulu.

Rene Ranger returns after a long-term ACL injury last year, while Blues fans will have to wait to Sonny Bill Williams in action as he misses out.

The starting line-up:

Pauliasi Manu

Matt Moulds

Sione Mafileo

Jimmy Tupou

Gerard Cowley-Tuioti

Steven Luatua

Blake Gibson

Murphy Taramai

Akira Ioane

Augustine Pulu

Ihaia West

Melani Nanai

Piers Francis

Rieko Ioane

Matt Duffie

Michael Collins

Reserves: Hame Faiva, Alex Hodgman, Charlie Faumuina/Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Scott Scrafton, Taramai/Kara Pryor, Sam Nock, George Moala, Rene Ranger.

They will be without the services of James Parsons, Jerome Kaino, Patrick Tuipulotu, Billy Guyton, Declan O’Connell, Stephen Perofeta and Sonny Bill Williams.