Blues coach Tana Umaga is not about to make the same mistake twice.

Umaga had a bunch of key All Blacks sitting on the bench as the Chiefs ran up a big lead which proved insurmountable in a 41-26 Super Rugby loss last weekend, despite three Blues tries in a late rally after they came on.

He had kept faith with players involved in the rout of the Melbourne Rebels in round one a week earlier but the Chiefs were a far more formidable foe.

This week All Blacks forwards Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino and Charlie Faumuina are all promoted to start against the depleted Kiwi conference rivals the Highlanders on Saturday.

All Blacks centre George Moala and winger Rene Ranger also move from the bench into the starting side.

“Jerome and Patrick had delayed (season) starts while Charlie has worked his way to excellent form, and both George and Rene impressed when they came on last week against the Chiefs,” Umaga said.

“There’s good depth in this squad and so there is going to be times when strong players won’t get starts always.”

Blues hooker James Parsons has also returned after recovering from concussion that kept him out of the All Blacks’ end of year tour and will lead the side against a Highlanders outfit desperate to get their season back on track.

The 2015 champion Highlanedrs have lost their first two games, against the Chiefs and Crusaders, and have been beset by injuries.

Nine of their squad, including All Blacks loose forward Liam Squire and fullback Ben Smith, are unavailable.

They also lost midfield back Jason Emery for the season to a torn Achilles’ tendon earlier this week.

Elliot Dixon will again lead the team for the Dunedin-based side, with one-test All Black Luke Whitelock replacing Squire at number eight.