Sotutu returns as Blues make three changes in team to face Highlanders

Blues head coach Vern Cotter has made three changes to the 23-man squad to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin this Saturday.

The reigning Super Rugby Pacific champions lost 25-14 to the Chiefs on Saturday, as Cotter's side was completely outplayed in the second half on their home turf to start the new campaign.

The Blues welcome back 2024 Super Rugby Player of the Year Hoskins Sotutu at No.8, as German-born loose forward Anton Segner misses out completely.

Roles are reversed at halfback, as Finlay Christie will start the game this weekend with Taufa Funaki on the bench.

Canterbury hooker James Mullan will make his Blues Super Rugby debut off the bench, replacing Nathaniel Pole in the No.16 jersey.

Cotter has reshuffled his bench players, bringing in young lock Josh Beehre into the No.19 jersey after missing out last week.

Cotter believes the team will bounce back from last weekend's disappointing loss against last year's beaten finalists, the Chiefs.

"We did not get the outcome we wanted against a very good Chiefs team, but it was just the start of a long season, and we will be much better for it this week," Cotter told the Blues website.

"We need a strong platform along with accuracy at the collision for us to prosper. When we did this well on Saturday, the team was dangerous but we need to achieve it for longer periods in the game.

"This competition is going to be extremely competitive between all New Zealand and Australian teams, as we all saw with the close results throughout all matches in the opening round."

The Blues team is (Blues caps in brackets):

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (150)

2. Ricky Riccitelli (39)

3. Marcel Renata (54)

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (110) ©

5. Laghlan McWhannell (12)

6. Cameron Suafoa (25)

7. Dalton Papali’i (84)

8. Hoskins Sotutu (66)

9. Finlay Christie (55)

10. Harry Plummer (76)

11. Caleb Clarke (65)

12. AJ Lam (44)

13. Rieko Ioane (113)

14. Mark Tele’a (68)

15. Beauden Barrett (31)

Reserves: 16. James Mullan (Debut), 17. Joshua Fusitu’a (22), 18. Angus Ta’avao (67), 19. Josh Beehre (12), 20. Adrian Choat (46), 21. Taufa Funaki (27), 22. Corey Evans (15), 23. Cole Forbes (18).

Players not considered: Kurt Eklund (groin), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Stephen Perofeta (calf), Ben Ake (shoulder).