Three Test players return to the Blues starting line-up but it's the debut of strike winger Caleb Clarke that will capture most attention when they face the NSW Waratahs.
The Kiwi Super Rugby strugglers have made five starting changes from the side beaten 20-13 by the Jaguares when they chase a rare win in Sydney on Saturday.
Among them is a first appearance of national age group star Clarke, whose season was disrupted by appendicitis.
The illness ruled him out of New Zealand's triumphant Commonwealth Games sevens campaign.
The 19-year-old son of former All Black Eroni Clarke packs the size and speed which has him touted by many for higher honours.
He replaces Jordan Hyland, with rookie winger Tumua Manu, who has scored in both of his appearances, shifted to the right wing.
Another to make a Blues starting debut is Maori All Blacks prop Ross Wright, who has come off the bench in their past seven games.
Sonny Bill Williams remains out with a wrist injury, with his No.12 jersey once again worn by classy All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane.
Back from injuries are halfback/captain Augustine Pulu, flanker Jerome Kaino and lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
Pulu, who came off the bench last week after two months out with a foot problem, won't want his side to relax New Zealand's stranglehold over Australian teams.
Assuming the defending champion Crusaders beat the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday, Kiwi teams will have won 37 straight trans-Tasman affairs.
A sense the Australian conference-leading Waratahs are the team to break drought is growing.
Coach Tana Umaga's men are ignoring the hype, gunning simply to notch a third win in what has been another disappointing campaign to date.
"The personnel changes this week are a boost," Umaga said.
"We have some key players starting to slowly return over the next couple of weeks but it is welcome news to have these three (Test) players back, not just with their rugby ability but especially their experience."
Blues: Matt Duffie, Tumua Manu, Orbyn Leger, Rieko Ioane, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Augustine Pulu (capt), Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali'i, Jerome Kaino, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Ross Wright. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Pauliasi Manu, Mike Tamoaieta, Been Nee-Nee, Murphy Taramai, Jonathan Ruru, Dan Kirkpatrick, Terence Hepetema.
