All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu and Jerome Kaino bolster Blues bench for clash with Chiefs

All Blacks Patrick Tuipulotu and Jerome Kaino are back to bolster the Blues bench for Friday's Super Rugby match with the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Blues coach Tana Umaga named an unchanged starting XV after their impressive opening round demolition of the Melbourne Rebels last Thursday.

But he's been quick to add some star power to his impact options for the juicy second round clash with the Chiefs.

Umaga has six All Blacks, a Maori All Black and a New Zealand under-20s player on his bench.

This derby is usually a high-octane affair that often goes right down to the wire. Substitutions are sure to be hugely influential.

​Tuipulotu and Kaino are the notable additions, set for their first appearances of the season as they join fellow All Blacks Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, George Moala and Rene Ranger along with Billy Guyton and Faiva in the reserves.

Tuipulotu will be eager to get some action, having left last year's All Blacks tour of Europe amidst doping allegations he was eventually cleared of.

BLUES: Pauliasi Manu, Matt Moulds, Sione Mafileo, Jimmy Tupou (C), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Steven Luatua, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane; Augustine Pulu, Ihaia West, Melani Nanai, Piers Francis, Rieko Ioane, Matt Duffie, Michael Collins. Reserves: Hame Faiva, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Billy Guyton, George Moala, Rene Ranger.

 

Photo: Getty Images The Blues will welcome the ball-carrying skills of their biog lock Patrick Tuipulotu for the game against the Chiefs in Hamilton.