New Zealand Sevens star Akira Ioane will not play for the Blues against the Chiefs in Pukekohe on Friday.

Ioane has been left out of the 30-man squad because of a hamstring strain.

His brother, 18-year-old Rieko Ioane, who is uncapped at Super Rugby level, and Ben Lam will both come off the bench for the Blues.

The trio have spent the past few months with the New Zealand Sevens side.

'They're a huge part of our team, so it's great to have them on board and I'm excited to see what they can do on the pitch,' said Blues captain Jerome Kaino.

Blues – 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino (c), 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3. Sione Mafileo, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Subs: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Namatahi Waa, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kara Pryor, Joe Edwards, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Male Sa'u, Rieko Ioane, Ben Lam, Matt Duffie.

Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images