Blues roll with Lam and Sullivan

The Blues have freshened up their back three for their first dig at an Australian side since February last year, though they are waiting to see if head coach Leon MacDonald will make the trip with them to Melbourne.

When assistant coach Tana Umaga unveiled his squad to travel for tomorrow night’s opening fixture of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman against the Rebels, not only did it contain a rejigged back three and a surprise starter at tighthead prop, but MacDonald, who ‘had a bit of a sniffle’, was in the doubtful travelling category.

Asked if MacDonald would travel with the team later yesterday, Umaga said: ‘‘I’m not sure. He’s got to keep in touch with the doc. Whether he travels today or tomorrow, he’ll get over there at some stage.’’

If MacDonald was not well enough to travel, forwards coach Tom Coventry would likely step into the No 1 spot, with Umaga taking the chief support role.

The Blues starting XV contains four changes to that which wrapped up Super Rugby Aotearoa with a deceptively convincing 39-19 victory over the Chiefs.

TJ Faiane returns at second fiveeighth to earn his 50th cap for the franchise, while AJ Lam, who scored two tries off the bench to nail the Chiefs victory late, gets the No 11 jersey vacated by Caleb Clarke’s move back to the sevens environment.

Up front Josh Goodhue is back at starting lock in place of rookie Sam Darry, while Marcel Renata gets the nod at tighthead prop, with All Black Nepo Laulala preferred on the bench.

There is a distinctly new generation look to the back three, with rookies Zarn Sullivan, at fullback, and Lam teaming with the experienced Bryce Heem who is preferred again at No 14 ahead of the out-of-favour Mark Telea.