Beauden Barrett named to start for Blues against Highlanders

Blues star Beauden Barrett will make his first start for the franchise in two years after being named at No 10 for his side's clash against the Highlanders in Albany on Friday.

Barrett overcame a concussion issue that plagued him over the course of the off-season to feature off the bench for the Blues in their 24-22 win over the Chiefs at Eden Park in Auckland last week.

It was the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year's first outing for the franchise since 2020 after having skipped last year's title-winning season to play for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's Top League.

Now, following a shoulder injury to Harry Plummer, Barrett has been named to start for the Blues in one of four changes to the starting lineup made by head coach Leon MacDonald.

One of the other changes to MacDonald's side has been necessitated by another shoulder injury, this time to star recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who has been replaced at second-five by Bryce Heem.

MacDonald said in a statement on Wednesday that both Plummer and Tuivasa-Sheck will be sidelined for "several weeks", but outlined that Barrett and Heem stood as more than capable replacements.

“Despite being out of the game for a while, Beauden slotted back in as we know he can," MacDonald said.

“Bryce has had a niggling injury that delayed his start. He was one of our key players last year, and while he played on the wing, he has plenty of experience in the midfield both for me at Tasman and in Europe. His experience and physicality are key factors.”

Meanwhile, in the forward pack, lock Sam Darry and blindside flanker Taine Plumtree have both come into the starting side for the first time this season as incumbents Josh Goodhue and Tom Robinson are handed rests.

Darry's promotion from the bench to the starting team means uncapped Blues lock James Tucker has been added to the reserves for a potential debut.

“Josh has been beaten up in two outstanding efforts and Tom is batting an ankle injury that has hampered him.

“Sam Darry and Taine Plumtree are two young guys who both had outstanding NPC campaigns, and are itching for their opportunity," MacDonald said.

“It means that James Tucker, another player who was terrific in the NPC, has the potential for his first cap for the Blues after an injury in pre-season meant he never got to play for us a few years back.”

Only two further changes have been made on the bench, with young hooker Soane Vikena replacing Ricky Riccitelli in the No 16 jersey, while Tanielu Tele'a joins the reserves at the expense of AJ Lam.

With all those alterations in mind, MacDonald is hoping for a more complete performance from his side after they were fortunate to avoid defeat at the death against the Chiefs, who squandered a chance to steal the game in injury time via a missed penalty.

“We played quite well against the Hurricanes and lost but we played indifferently last week and got the win. It shows that you can’t control the outcome, but you can control performance,” the Blues boss said.

“We are looking for quantum improvement across the board – better quality possession, better handling, more consistent defensive effort and better decision-making. Most of all, we are looking for a more aggressive, physical and quality performance.”

Kick-off for Friday's match at North Harbour Stadium is scheduled for 7:05pm.

Blues team to face Highlanders

1.Alex Hodgman

2. Kurt Eklund

3. Nepo Laulala

4. Luke Romano

5. Sam Darry

6. Taine Plumtree

7. Dalton Papalii (c)

8. Hoskins Sotutu

9. Finlay Christie

10. Beauden Barrett

11. Caleb Clarke

12. Bryce Heem

13. Rieko Ioane

14. Mark Telea

15. Stephen Perofeta

Reserves

16. Soane Vikena

17. Ofa Tuungafasi

18. Marcel Renata

19. James Tucker

20. Adrian Choat

21. Sam Nock

22. Tanielu Tele'a

23. Zarn Sullivan