Sunwolves switch it up for the Blues

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Sunwolves have made seven changes to their starting line-up for their Super Rugby round four match against the Blues at QBE Stadium in North Harbour on Saturday.

The Japanese franchise head into the Saturday's match beaming with confidence following their historic win over the Chiefs in Round Three.

Loose forward Shahel Matshuhashi will start at openside flank. He joins the Rahboni Warren Vosayaco and Hendrik Tui as the loose trio combinations for the fixture.

Othe changes to the pack see James Moore and Tom Row come in as the second-row duo, while the front row is unchanged.

In the backline, Semisi Masirewa comes in at fullback replacing Jason Emery, who subsequently moves to outside centre for this week's fixture.

Rikiya Matsuda takes over the role as the No.10 from Hayden Parker, while Jamie Booth will don the No.9 jersey.

Sunwolves: 15 Semisi Masirewa, 14 Gerhard Van Den Heever, 13 Jason Emery, 12 Michael Little (captain), 11 Jamie Henry, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Shahel Matshuhashi, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 James Moore, 4 Tom Rowe, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Pauliasi Manu.

Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Alex Woonton, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Hayden Parker, 23 Phil Burleigh.

Date: Saturday, March 9

Venue: QBE Stadium, North Harbour

Kick-off: 19.35 (15.35 Japan time; 06.35 GMT)

Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

Assistant referees: James Munro (New Zealand), Dan Waenga (New Zealand)

TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)