Blues wing Rieko Ioane retains his place for another week as predicted, and Ma'a Nonu stays at No12 despite the return of Sonny Bill Williams, but perhaps the most significant selections as the Blues attempt to build on their win over the Highlanders are in the front row. "There are two things; who starts the best and how do we close out the game and win it at the end," MacDonald said. Ioane, who has six tries in two matches but due for an All Black rest week, was always going to start after training during the week. With fellow wings Caleb Clarke and Matt Duffie returning from injury via the Blues' second team, Ioane could miss next weekend's visit of the Waratahs. MacDonald said of Ioane: "We just felt consistency of performance was critical and he's obviously a big part of that."

Source: Otago Daily Times March 28, 2019 18:45 UTC