Kaino to captain Blues

Jerome Kaino will lead a Blues side featuring two changes in Friday's clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.

In the absence of Luke Braid, who moves to the bench after shouldering a heavy workload this season, 30 year-old Kaino will take over the reins.

Brendon O'Connor starts at openside flanker in place of Braid in an otherwise unchanged forward pack after last weekend's win over the Highlanders.

After a stellar game against the Highlanders, Jackson Willison has been ruled out of Friday's match with a rib injury as George Moala shifts into centre and livewire Tevita Li starts on the wing.

Blues – 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Jerome Kaino (c), 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Jordan Manihera, 20 Luke Braid, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Francis Saili, 23 Benji Marshall.

Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

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