Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has made a number of changes to his side, some through injury, for Friday night's Super Rugby game against the Rebels in Melbourne.
Captain Jerome Kaino and fullback Charles Piutau were both ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering injuries in last weekend's win over the Western Force.
The Blues stand-in captain Steven Luatua with team-mates. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Steven Luatua takes over the captaincy and the number eight position while Lolagi Visinia moves from wing to fullback.
The Blues first-five Ihaia West in action during their Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes at Eden Park in May. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Ihaia West gets a start at first-five with Dan Bowden not considered because of injury.
Prop Charlie Faumuina and hooker James Parsons are rested with Kirwan naming Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and Angus Ta'avao in the front row.
There are potential debuts off the bench for Greg Pleasants-Tate and Joe Edwards with Simon Hickey looking for his first game of the season.
Blues:
1 Tony Woodcock
2 Keven Mealamu
3 Angus Ta'avao
4 Culum Retallick
5 Hayden Triggs
6 Akira Ioane
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Steven Luatua (c)
9 Jimmy Cowan
10 Ihaia West
11 Tevita Li
12 George Moala
13 Francis Saili
14 Melani Nanai
15 Lolagi Visinia
Reserves:
16 Greg Pleasants-Tate
17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18 Sam Prattley
19 Josh Bekhuis
20 Joe Edwards
21 Jamison Gibson-Park
22 Simon Hickey
23 Hamish Northcott
