Blues skipper makes shock return for Super Rugby final

Auckland Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu will make a surprise return to play in the Super Rugby Pacific final against the Waikato Chiefs after overcoming a knee injury that was expected to rule him out for another month.

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

However, coach Vern Cotter said his captain had been given the green light for Saturday's home final at Eden Park by medical staff and named him in his starting team.

"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 sold-out clash.

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 through injury.

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.