Rugby-Blues skipper Tuipulotu makes shock return for Super final

Rugby Union - New Zealand Team Announcement Press Conference - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - November 22, 2018 New Zealand's Patrick Tuipulotu during the press conference REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/ File Photo

(Reuters) - Auckland Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu will make a surprise return to the starting second row in the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Waikato Chiefs after overcoming a knee injury that was expected to rule him out for the rest of the season.

Tuipulotu strained a medial ligament in the quarter-final against Fijian Drua and the Blues' initial prognosis had him sidelined for up to seven weeks.

However, head coach Vern Cotter said the All Blacks lock had been given the green light for Saturday's match by medical staff.

"Patty’s a Blues man through and through and came to us this week pretty keen to play in a Grand Final," Cotter said in a media release on Wednesday.

"He tested the knee on Monday in the gym, then on the grass yesterday.

"He’s pulled up well and has the all-clear from our medical team – he's a welcome addition to our pack, our talisman lock and leader."

Josh Beehre drops to the bench to make way for the skipper, while outside back Bryce Heem also takes a spot in the reserves after recovering from a calf injury for the clash at a sold-out Eden Park.

The Chiefs have been left counting the cost of their semi-final win over the Wellington Hurricanes and will be without hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi.

Tyrone Thompson replaces Taukei’aho in the number two jersey, while lock Manaaki Selby-Rickit takes a spot in the reserves.

Hooker Bradley Slater, who left the semi-final win under an injury cloud, has been cleared to play off the bench.

The Chiefs welcome back Shaun Stevenson, who will line up at fullback after being a late withdrawal for the semi-final. His return moves Etene Nanai-Seturo to the wing with Daniel Rona dropping to the bench.

"It’s unfortunate to have lost some key players through injury, but no team has been immune to this, and you won’t see us worrying about something we can’t control,” Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan said.

"We are genuinely excited for the players who now get their opportunity."

The Blues are bidding for a fifth Super Rugby title, including the one-off Trans-Tasman competition in 2021, while the Chiefs are targeting a third crown after winning back-to-back championships in 2012-13.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)