Rugby: Red-hot Rieko Ioane back in the midfield for Blues

Rieko Ioane is back for the Blues. Photo / Getty

Fresh from his hat-trick on the wing against France last weekend in Dunedin, Rieko Ioane will play at second-five for the Blues against the Reds at Eden Park on Friday.

Sonny Bill Williams' shoulder is partly responsible for the selection by coach Tana Umaga, but with fullback Michael Collins starting alongside Ioane at centre, the Blues midfield has an unorthodox look about it as they attempt to win their first home game of the season.

Despite being the best left wing in the world, with 16 tries in 16 tests, Ioane's preferred position is centre, but he has struggled to impose himself in the midfield for the Blues this season and there will be further scrutiny on him in the Blues' final home match of the season.

Another loss to the Reds would be their eighth at home this season and would represent a new low.

Skipper and halfback Augustine Pulu has been bracketed with Sam Nock due to a lingering injury. There is, though, an exciting and pacey look about the Blues' back three, with Caleb Clarke on the left wing, Matt Duffie at fullback and Melani Nanai on the right wing.

Openside flanker Blake Gibson makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery, with Akira Ioane – in camp with the All Blacks this month – and veteran Jerome Kaino in his last home game rounding out a powerful loose trio.

"Our season to date has been disappointing, but we see these final three games as important for us to transfer that hard work that we see on the training field into performance on it," Umaga said.

"There is no better way for our team to honour Jerome than to produce a performance of real quality, consistency and direction.

"Our season to date has been disappointing, but we see these final three games as important for us to transfer that hard work that we see on the training field into performance on it."

The Blues team to play the Reds at Eden Park on Friday, kick-off 7.35pm is:
15. Matt Duffie, 14. Melani Nanai, 13. Michael Collins, 12. Rieko Ioane, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 9. Augustine Pulu © or Sam Nock; 8. Akira Ioane, 7. Blake Gibson, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Matiaha Martin, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 2. James Parsons, 1. Alex Hodgman

Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds/Leni Apisai, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19. Jacob Pierce, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Bryn Gatland, 23 TJ Faiane/Tumua Manu.