Rugby: Northland lock Josh Goodhue returns for Blues

Josh Goodhue has been brought back in after recovering from a hand injury. Photo / Getty Images

Northland lock Josh Goodhue makes his return from a hand injury to take his place in the Blues starting lineup for their clash with the Jaguares today. The Blues have had to deal with a raft of injuries but the return of Goodhue, locking partner Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and captain Augustine Pulu has somewhat alleviated the mid-season stresses.

Goodhue has made good use of his opportunities so far this year and will look to cement his spot in the side as they enter do-or-die territory despite having eight games left to play.

Meanwhile, Kara Pryor overcame a knock in last week's loss to the Highlanders to retain his spot at openside flanker while Jordan Hyland stays on the right wing after impressing over the last couple of weeks.

Hyland has been quietly impressive on the right wing this year as his size has made him a tough prospect defensively for the opposition.

On the bench Ross Wright should see an opportunity for more game time while Sam Nock and Matt Moulds are out of the 23 due to the respective selections of Leni Apisai and Pulu.

Blues coach Tana Umaga said he did not want to bring players back from the casualty ward too early.

"While our injured list has been well publicised, equally we do not want to rush players back, especially those who have been out of action for some time," he said.

"We have who are close to full fitness but their long-term health and welfare is our main priority and we won't rush them back."

The Blues have again put Rieko Ioane in the random position generator, moving him to second five due to the injury of TJ Faiane.

Arguably the best left wing in world rugby, Ioane has shifted between second five, centre and wing during the season as injuries and form have dictated shifts.

The impending return of Sonny Bill Williams should restore Ioane to the wing but they have to combat the Jaguares first.

The Argentinian side have improved this year, grabbing four wins in their nine outings, though remarkably they have no bonus points so far.

The Blues still have a mathematical chance of making the playoffs for the first time since 2011 but that requires at least seven victories in their last eight matches or a swag of results going their way.

Umaga said they had their eyes solely on the Jaguares this week.

"We know they'll be looking at this game as an opportunity to get a Kiwi scalp over here. They'll definitely come with confidence and the way they're playing they should," he said.

"We've got to execute our plan and play with confidence. It's tough when things don't go your way early but we've shown when we get our game going we can compete but it's doing that more often than not."

Blues: Matt Duffie, Jordan Hyland, Orbyn Leger, Rieko Ioane, Tumua Manu, Stephen Perofeta, Jonathan Ruru; Akira Ioane, Kara Pryor, Dalton Papalii, Josh Goodhue, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons (c), Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Ross Wright, Mike Tamoaieta, Ben Nee-Nee, Lyndon Dunshea, Augustine Pulu, Dan Kirkpatrick, Terrence Hepetema.

Jaguares: Joaquin Tuculet (c), Bautista Delguy, Matias Orlando, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Emiliano Boffelli, Nicolas Sanchez, Martin Landajo; Leonardo Senatore, Marcos Kremer, Javier Ortega Desio, Matias Alemanno, Guido Petti Pagadizaval, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy, Santiago Garcia Botta. Reserves: Julian Montoya, Javier Manuel Diaz, Juan Pablo Zeiss, Tomas Lavanini, Tomas Lezana, Gonzalo Bertranou, Bautista Ezcurra, Sebastian Cancelliere