Blues coach Pat Lam is putting a priority on getting better quality ball against the Chiefs when the Super Rugby neighbours meet in Hamilton on Friday night.

Both teams are coming off first-round losses, the Blues pipped 19-18 by the Crusaders, after scoring two tries to one.

Lam is pleased with the way his players managed to battle back after the momentum swung against them in the second half, to put themselves back in contention to win the match late on.

But the standard of some their possession after they had taken an early lead was a concern.

“We simply have to have quality ball,” he said.

“We showed when we had some good ball we can play some good rugby.”

Lam has kept faith with the side that went down to the Crusaders, making just one injury-related change to the starting line-up.

Tevita Mailau replaces tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina, who picked up a training ground injury.

Faumuina’s unavailability means the Blues will be without their top two props, with All Black Tony Woodcock still on an extended pre-season break.

The Chiefs have their own front-row woes, losing tighthead prop Ben Afeaki with a broken arm just minutes into their 23-19 defeat to the Highlanders and also substitute Toby Smith with a calf injury later in the match.

Hawke’s Bay 20-year-old Ben Tameifuna, who tips the scales at 138kg, has been called in to make his debut.

The loss to the Highlanders left the Chiefs with a crowded casualty ward, after winger Lelia Masaga and halfback Brendon Leonard also limped off.

Lam doubts that the lengthy injury list will make any difference to the challenge the Chiefs will present against opponents they relish beating.

“At the end of the day, those Chiefs games have been tough battles,” he said.

“They love to play us. They come out hard and that’s fine, as long we come back hard too.”