Three All Black injury boosts, four milestones for Blues against Highlanders

Three All Blacks will return from injury for the Blues against the Highlanders this weekend, including club captain Patrick Tuipulotu.

It will be the lock’s first game of 2026, with an off-season shoulder surgery keeping him sidelined until this point. He’s joined by Hoskins Sotutu (knee) and Dalton Papali’i (back), who have been out since rounds five and six, respectively.

All three returning internationals have come straight back into the starting team, but head coach Vern Cotter hasn’t let their impressive understudies fall out of the matchday 23, with Anton Segner retaining a starting post on the blindside flank, while Torian Barnes and Malachi Wrampling have both been selected on a bench which features six forwards and two backs.

“Having Patrick back is massive for us. He’s a leader who drives standards on and off the field. You can feel the lift in the group with him back out on the field,” Cotter said.

“Dalton and Hoskins have both worked hard through their rehab and also bring huge experience and leadership back into our group. Collectively, we’re looking forward to getting back out there on Friday night.”

While there’s plenty of good news for the Aucklanders, there is some bad news, with winger Caleb Clarke sidelined with a calf injury and Ofa Tu’uungafasi also unavailable due to a head knock.

Mason Tupaea will take Tu’ungafasi’s place in the starting team, while a potential debut awaits Ben Ake from the bench. The 23-year-old’s debut is one of four milestones to be celebrated in the game, with Finlay Christie set to play his 100th game of Super Rugby, Beauden Barrett set to play his 50th for the Blues, and Zarn Sullivan set to also notch 50.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

34

24

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

Blues team to play the Highlanders

1. Mason Tupaea (16)
2. Bradley Slater (5)
3. Marcel Renata (74)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) (124)
5. Sam Darry (41)
6. Anton Segner (46)
7. Dalton Papali’i (103)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (84)
9. Finlay Christie (76)
10. Beauden Barrett (49)
11. Codemeru Vai (8)
12. Xavi Taele (13)
13. AJ Lam (66)
14. Cole Forbes (35)
15. Zarn Sullivan (49)

Reserves

16. Kurt Eklund (79)
17. Ben Ake (debut)
18. Sam Matenga (6)
19. Josh Beehre (35)
20. Torian Barnes (7)
21. Malachi Wrampling (4)
22. Taufa Funaki (39)
23. Pita Ahki (21)

Injury list

Cameron Christie (knee, season)
Caleb Clarke (calf)
Corey Evans (ankle)
Joshua Fusitu’a (bicep)
Jordan Lay (concussion)
Laghlan McWhannell (concussion)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (concussion)