Piri Weepu and Ma’a Nonu will front for the Blues against their old Super Rugby franchise in Friday’s fifth-round match against the Hurricanes at Eden Park in Auckland.
Former Hurricanes halfback Weepu will start at five-eighth, with another ex-Hurricane in All Blacks midfielder Nonu at inside centre.
Alby Mathewson, who earned 49 caps for the Hurricanes from 2007-09 before moving to the Blues, will start at halfback.
All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock makes his first appearance for the Blues, as the Auckland franchise look to turn around a poor start to the season, with just one win from four matches.
Blues: Lachie Munro, David Raikuna, Benson Stanley, Ma’a Nonu, Rudi Wulf, Piri Weepu, Alby Mathewson, Brad Mika, Daniel Braid (capt), Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: James Parsons, Tevita Mailau, Filo Paulo, Sean Polwart, Gareth Anscombe, Michael Hobbs, Hadleigh Parkes.