The Blues have made one injury-related change to their starting 15 to face Super rugby neighbours the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night.

Tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina strained a knee in a contact session on Monday and has been replaced by Tevita Mailau.

Coach Pat Lam says the injury is not major and Faumuina is expected to be available for the upcoming two-match trip to South Africa.

However, it leaves the Blues, looking to bounce back from a 19-18 defeat to the Crusaders, without their two main props this week, with All Black Tony Woodcock making a late start to the season as he gets over niggling injuries.

Angus Ta’avao comes in to take Mailau’s place in the reserves, where there is one other change with the inclusion of five-eighth Gareth Anscombe for Hadleigh Parkes.

Both Ta’avao and Anscombe will make their Super rugby debuts if they get time off the bench.

Blues: Isaia Toeava, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Rudi Wulf, Michael Hobbs, Alby Mathewson, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, Tevita Mailau, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tom McCartney. Reserves: Pauliasi Manu, Angus Ta’avao, Brad Mika, Luke Braid, Piri Weepu, Gareth Anscombe, Sherwin Stowers.