Blues drop late Tuipulotu for Lions clash

All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been dropped from the Blues squad to face the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday night.

The Super Rugby franchise confirmed the 24-year-old's axing after he failed to notify the team he would be late for training earlier this week..

Tuipulotu had initially been named on the bench for the clash at Eden Park, the second game for the Lions on their New Zealand tour.

Blues coach Tana Umaga has drafted Jimmy Tupou onto the bench.

Sonny Bill Williams has been cleared to play with TJ Faiane moving to the replacements bench.

Faiane had been tagged by Umaga to start if 31-year-old Williams had not recovered from a knee injury.

Melani Nanai drops out of the replacements to make way for Faiane.