All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina has been recalled to the Blues side to face the Vodacom Bulls at Eden Park on Friday.
Faumuina's inclusion is one of three changes to the Blues pack, with James Parsons also slotting into the front row in place of Keven Mealamu, while Josh Bekhuis comes in for Hayden Triggs in the second row.
Coach John Kirwan has also made two changes to his backline, handing Jamison Gibson-Park a rare start at scrumhalf ahead of Jimmy Cowan. The final change sees Ben Lam come onto the wing for Tevita Li, with Melani Nanai shifting to left wing.
The Blues have won their two previous games at Eden Park – against the Brumbies and Force – but lost badly to the Rebels in Melbourne last time out.
Blues – 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Ben Lam, 13 Francis Saili, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Steven Luatua (c), 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Sam Pratley, 19 Will Lloyd, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Jimmy Cowan/Jamie Booth, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 Matt Vaega.
Photo: Jason Oxenham/Getty Images
