Rugby: Bowden to start at 10 for Blues

Daniel Bowden (seen here during his time with the Highlanders) will start at No 10 for the Blues...
Daniel Bowden (seen here during his time with the Highlanders) will start at No 10 for the Blues against the Waratahs.
Daniel Bowden will make his first Super Rugby appearance for five years after the struggling Blues unveiled a key playmaking change for the clash against the Waratahs in Sydney.

Bowden has shaken off a foot injury and starts at five-eighth on Saturday in place of Ihaia West, who played all 400 minutes of the Blues' winless start to the season before last week's bye.

The 28-year-old Bowden played for the Highlanders and Crusaders from 2008-10 before taking up contracts in England and Japan.

Once touted as an All Black prospect, Bowden watch on while the Blues slumped to their first 0-5 start to a season.

Three other changes to the team who lost 30-23 to the Hurricanes two weeks ago feature a couple of positional switches.

After three games at centre, All Blacks flyer Charles Piutau reverts to his customary fullback role.

George Moala will make his first start for the season at centre while Lolagi Visinia is dropped despite some sharp form at fullback.

The return from concussion of captain Jerome Kaino to No.8 pushes Steven Luatua blindside flanker and Daniel Braid to the reserves bench.

There is a straight swap at lock, where Hayden Triggs replaces the injured Josh Bekhuis.

All Blacks veteran hooker Keven Mealamu remains among the reserves, having made one start this season. He will be joined on the bench by centre Pita Ahki and lock Culum Retallick, who are both yet to appear this year because of injuries.

West has kicked 21 of his 25 shots at goal and accrued 56 points this season but a Blues media release said he was due a break because of his heavy workload.

Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, George Moala, Francis Saili, Melani Nanai, Dan Bowden, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (capt), Brendon O'Connor, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, Hayden Triggs, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi/Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Culum Retallick, Luke Braid, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, Pita Ahki.

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