All Blacks lock Ali Williams will make his debut as Blues captain in a Super Rugby pre-season match against the Waratahs in Whangarei on Saturday.
Williams, 31, was named franchise skipper for the 2013 season in December, taking over from Test teammate Keven Mealamu, who is having an extended summer break.
Williams wasn’t due at pre-season training until late January, but decided to turn up early, joining his teammates at the start of the month.
He says he can’t wait to get out on the pitch.
“You can only really judge a captain by what happens on the field,” he said.
“There are a few things for me to concentrate on but at the moment I’m loving it, and having a great bunch of guys around me makes it easy.”
The 77-Test veteran will be one of a number of Blues players making an appearance for the first time this year, including centre Rene Ranger.
Chris Noakes will start at first five-eighth, while winger George Moala returns after a leg injury he suffered in the national provincial championship last year.
All Black prop Charlie Faumuina will get some game time off the bench, as will lock Culum Retallick, who will have his first game in five months after recovering from a foot injury.
Blues team (15-1): Albert Nikoro, George Moala, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Lolagi Visinia, Chris Noakes, Bryn Hall, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Ali Williams (capt), Liaki Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Quentin MacDonald, Tom McCartney. Res: James Parsons, Tim Perry, Culum Retallick, Brendon O’Connor, Charlie Faumuina, Ronald Raaymakers, Kane Barrett, Jamison Gibson-Park, Malakai Fekitoa, Marty McKenzie, Baden Kerr, Waisake Naholo, Frank Halai.