Skipper Keven Mealamu is looking for some late cheer after what he describes as the toughest of his 12 Super Rugby campaigns with the Blues.

Having come one match short of the final in 2011, the Auckland-based franchise have spent this year languishing near the bottom of the ladder.

They are second last as they go into their penultimate match against fellow strugglers the Western Force in Auckland on Saturday night.

For Mealamu, the frustration has been compounded by his injury woes, which have restricted the hooker to just six appearances for the Blues – the last almost three months ago.

“I think that’s probably what’s made it the toughest, not being able to go out there and lead the boys,” he said.

“It’s pretty disappointing from that point of view, but I’m really excited to get back and make sure we do a good job.”

Mealamu returned to action two weeks ago, earning his 93rd cap when he played the second half of the All Blacks’ 60-0 whitewash of Ireland in the final Test in Hamilton.

While the 33-year-old is back in the frame, the Blues still have a lengthy casualty list, with 11 players out, including six with All Blacks experience.

New Zealand Sevens representative Charles Piutau gets to make his Super Rugby debut, while one-time Blues player Orene Ai’i is drafted back in to provide five-eighth cover on the bench.

Mealamu said the number of injuries wasn’t an excuse, but it was one of a series of factors that have contributed to their poor results.

The Force have their own injury issues, including the absence of breakdown maestro David Pocock because of a groin problem.

In their backline, they will field at inside centre someone familiar to the home side, former Blues player Winston Stanley, brother of injured midfielder Benson Stanley.