Rugby: Rokocoko returns for Blues

Mike Delany will start at first five eighth against the Blues. Photo / Getty Images

All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko has been reinstated to the Blues' starting team for the Super 15 rugby match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Last week, Rokocoko was originally dropped from the 22-strong squad picked to face the Hurricanes in Auckland.

However, he got a partial reprieve with a spot among the reserves when his replacement, usual midfielder Benson Stanley, got a calf injury in the captain's run.

Stanley's unavailability meant Sherwin Stowers was elevated to the starting lineup against the Hurricanes.

In the only change to the run-on side named today to tackle the Chiefs, Rokocoko gets the No 11 jersey ahead of Stowers, who is in a bracket with Stanley in the reserves.

Coach Pat Lam said Stanley was still recovering from his injury, while Stowers "probably wasn't as good as he could have been" against the Hurricanes.

He said Rokocoko's performance was better when he came off the bench in the win over the Hurricanes, but "he still has a way to go".

"I've been watching him off the field and what he's been doing, and making sure the hunger and desire is there, and it looks like it is," he said.

"He's had a good chat with the All Black coaches, so this is a big opportunity for him to take."

Meanwhile the Chiefs have made two changes, both forced by injury, to their starting XV.

First five-eighth Stephen Donald and loosehead prop Ben May both came off early, with back and calf injuries respectively, during the Chiefs' defeat of the Sharks last weekend.

They have been replaced by Mike Delany and Sona Taumalolo.

The 15-9 win over the Sharks took the Chiefs' win-loss record to 2-3 and coach Ian Foster said his team were looking for further improvements, especially in their back play.

"While we were really pleased with the mental strength and the diligence of our pack last week we know we have to keep improving, particularly our backs' overall skill and ball retention," he said.

The match will be halfback Brendon Leonard's 50th in Super rugby.

Blues side:
Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger, Jared Payne, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Teofilo Paulo, Mat Luamanu, Chris Smylie, Lachie Munro, Benson Stanley/Sherwin Stowers.

Chiefs side:
Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Tana Umaga, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Mike Delany, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam (captain), Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, Isaac Ross, Craig Clarke, Nathan White, Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Toby Smith, Culum Retallick, Fritz Lee, Taniela Moa, Dwayne Sweeney, Save Tokula.

- NZPA