Tuipulotu dropped in Blues-Lions match for turning up late for training

Patrick Tuipulotu's All Blacks chances have taken a huge dent the day before Steve Hansen reveals his squad for the Lions series.

The Blues lock has been dropped from Tana Umaga's team to play the Lions at Eden Park tonight after he turned up late to training.

The 24‑year‑old was set to come off the bench but he has been axed by Blues coach, who said the team had strict standards regardless of the status of the player or the occasion.

Tuipulotu breached team protocol after he was late to training without notification and he's been replaced by Jimmy Tupou.

The All Blacks and Maori All Blacks squads to face the Lions will be announced tomorrow.

The Blues will play the British and Irish Lions at 7.35 tonight.