The big guns are back for the Blues, including co-captains James Parsons and Jerome Kaino, and fellow All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, as they prepare for what is likely to be a desperate Highlanders team at Eden Park on Saturday. In the backs, Rene Ranger starts on the wing ahead of Melani Nanai and George Moala replaces Piers Francis at second-five. "There's good depth in this squad and so there is going to be times when strong players won't always get starts." For Parsons, the return after he suffered a head injury while playing for North Harbour in September last year is an extremely welcome one. Now I'm at the other end I can see those learnings and I'm excited to do my role for the team."

Source: New Zealand Herald March 08, 2017 22:18 UTC