Blues coach Leon MacDonald has named an unchanged starting fifteen for Saturday night's Super Rugby final against the Crusaders at Eden Park.
The Blues are hopeful Dalton Papalii will be able to play this weekend. Photo: www.photosport.nz
There are a couple of changes on the bench with flanker and captain Dalton Papalii bracketed after missing the last two weeks following surgery on his appendix.
Coach Leon MacDonald said the team were thrilled that a 42,000 full-house will provide plenty of pride for his squad.
"This is set for a great occasion and is an opportunity to seal an excellent season in front of a full-house at Eden Park. We know what is at stake and we have prepared well.
"That said, it is another game, and we need to buckle down, do the basics right, provide good front-foot ball for our backs, and focus on doing the basics right, with discipline both with and without the ball."
Meanwhile, lock Sam Whitelock is over a thumb injury that forced him to miss their semi-final win over the Chiefs in the only change to the Crusaders starting XV.
The only other change sees Quinten Strange come onto the bench in place of lock Zach Gallagher.
"As far as Finals go, it doesn't get any more exciting than taking on the Blues at a packed-out Eden Park," Robertson said.
"I'm proud of this group and the care they've shown this week to put themselves in a position to go and put a great performance on the field on Saturday night. We had a few sore bodies following the huge defensive effort last week, but everyone has come through the week really well and excitement is building towards Saturday night.
"We play for these games and the opportunity to represent the Crusaders region on the big stage - we know it's going to be another step up but we're really embracing the challenge in front of us."
Saturday's fixture will be the third final between the Blues and Crusaders in Super Rugby history.
The Crusaders won their inaugural Final in 1998, while the Blues won in 2003.
The Blues team to play the Brumbies at Eden Park is (Blues caps in brackets):
1. Alex Hodgman (54)
2. Kurt Eklund (37)
3. Nepo Laulala (25)
4. Josh Goodhue (46)
5. Tom Robinson (44)
6. Akira Ioane (94)
7. Adrian Choat (19)
8. Hoskins Sotutu (36)
9. Finlay Christie (30)
10. Beauden Barrett (17)
11. AJ Lam (20)
12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (11)
13. Rieko Ioane (85)
14. Mark Telea (38)
15. Stephen Perofeta (44)
16. Soane Vikena (14)
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe (42)
18. Ofa Tuungafasi (120)
19. Luke Romano (14)
20. Dalton Papalii (55) or James Tucker (11)
21. Sam Nock (50)
22. Bryce Heem (19)
23. Zarn Sullivan (18)
Crusaders team to play the Blues:
1. George Bower
2. Codie Taylor (VC)
3. Oli Jager
4. Scott Barrett (C)
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Pablo Matera
7. Tom Christie
8. Cullen Grace
9. Bryn Hall
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. Leicester Fainga'anuku
12. David Havili (VC)
13. Jack Goodhue
14. Sevu Reece
15. Will Jordan
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Tamaiti Williams
18. Fletcher Newell
19. Quinten Strange
20. Corey Kellow
21. Mitch Drummond
22. Braydon Ennor
23. George Bridge
