Rugby: Winless Blues to give Gibson-Park a try

John Kirwan watches on as his Blues fall to the Lions. Photo / Getty

Another week, another roll of the dice by Blues coach John Kirwan, who has selected halfback Jamison Gibson-Park for his first start of the season against the Chiefs on Saturday.

There is also a change in the midfield, with Francis Saili appearing to have paid the price for losing the ball in contact too often in the 23-11 defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney last weekend.

George Moala, who played centre in that match, moves to second-five, with Pita Ahki named in the No13 jersey.

Gibson-Park, in for Jimmy Cowan, will link with first-five Dan Bowden at Waikato Stadium. Bowden, who acquitted himself well in his first game of the season last weekend, predictably gets another go in the No10 jersey ahead of Ihaia West.

Bowden is likely to be better for his 80 minutes after returning from a foot ligament problem. After a rusty start in which he failed to find touch from a penalty, Bowden ran the show with purpose and poise in his first Super Rugby competition match since 2010.

Cowan has started all six games for the Blues, and, while the 33-year-old former All Black adds experience to a youthful Blues backline, Kirwan has clearly decided that more speed is needed both in getting to the breakdown and passing the ball. Gibson-Park, 23, will provide that against a Chiefs team which will be favoured to extend the Blues' losing run to seven from seven this season.

Tevita Li returns to the left wing in place of Melani Nanai, with All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu named on the reserves bench.

Prop Tony Woodcock has been ruled out with concussion.

Blues team to play the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 7.35pm, is: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Pita Ahki, George Moala, Tevita Li, Dan Bowden, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jerome Kaino (c), Brendon O'Connor, Steven Luatua, Hayden Triggs, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina/Angus Ta'avao, Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Braid, Jimmy Cowan, Ihaia West, Francis Saili.