CLARKE RETURNS FOR CLASH WITH MOANA

Blues dynamo Caleb Clarke has been named to return from injury for Saturday night’s clash with Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium.

After missing four games with a thigh injury, Clarke will line up on the left wing with AJ Lam shifting back to the right wing.

In the forwards, Angus Ta’avao returns to the starting role at tighthead prop, Josh Beehre comes into the second row and Adrian Choat starts at blindside flanker in place of Anton Segner, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Head coach Vern Cotter said his side is focused on putting together another strong performance against Moana Pasifika.

“This is another big match for us. We need to be clinical as a group and lift our physicality and intensity,” he said.

“We’ve built some good momentum in recent weeks, and this is another step forward as we focus on continually improving our game.”

Blues Team for Round 14
7.05pm, Saturday 17 May vs Moana Pasifika

1. Joshua Fusitu’a (33)
2. Ricky Riccitelli (47)
3. Angus Ta’avao (78)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (capt) (120)
5. Josh Beehre (23)
6. Adrian Choat (51)
7. Dalton Papali’i (93)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (74)
9. Taufa Funaki (32)
10. Beauden Barrett (40)
11. Caleb Clarke (71)
12. Xavi Taele (4)
13. Rieko Ioane (124)
14. AJ Lam (54)
15. Corey Evans (25)

Reserves: 16. Kurt Eklund (71), 17. Mason Tupaea (7), 18. Marcel Renata (62), 19. Laghlan McWhannell (19), 20. Cam Christie (7), 21. Finlay Christie (64), 22. Harry Plummer (85), 23. Cole Forbes (26)

Players not considered due to injury: Anton Segner (shoulder), Stephen Perofeta (leg), Reon Paul (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (medical), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck, season), Sam Darry (shoulder, season)