Gatland to run the show for Blues

Bryn Gatland has a clear mindset about how he wants to play in the Blues’ season opener in Dunedin.

Blues coach Tana Umaga has handed Bryn Gatland the reins of his team for the Super Rugby opener in Dunedin, and the young No 10 is pledging to deliver the performance his team needs.

The 22-year-old first-year fully contracted player (he appeared four times last season as an injury replacement) has had his seniority in the Blues fast-tracked on the back of Otere Black’s major knee injury and Stephen Perofeta’s hand fracture.

That leaves just Gatland and experienced journeyman Daniel Kirkpatrick (in the reserves to face the Highlanders) covering No 10 for the first month at least, and Umaga has had no hesitation in sending Gatland out in his best available XV tomorrow night (7.35pm kickoff).

Umaga has included six current and three former All Blacks in a powerful lineup, with the main talking points being the fast-track return of Michael Collins at fullback, international Patrick Tuipulotu being named on the bench after a recent injury niggle, Alex Hodgman starting at loosehead prop ahead of the highly regarded Pauliasi Manu and Jerome Kaino being given another week to get his ankle right.

The fit-again Collins, who played only 40 minutes of the preseason, has been returned to the fullback position he made such a good fist of in 2017 in a strong back three that includes All Blacks Rieko Ioane and Matt Duffie. George Moala will partner Sonny Bill Williams in a potentially destructive midfield tandem.