The bottom-of-the-table Blues have made four changes to their starting 15 to face the Brumbies in a Super Rugby match in Auckland on Friday night.
Three of the changes are in the pack, with blindside flanker Luke Braid, lock Patrick Tuipulotu and hooker James Parsons coming in.
The three are promoted from the bench, swapping places with Steven Luatua, Hayden Triggs and Keven Mealamu.
In the backs, Melani Nanai returns at left wing for Tevita Li.
The Blues are looking to snap a 0-7 start to the season and coach Sir John Kirwan says selection was based partly with the Australian conference leaders in mind.
"We've picked a little bit for the Brumbies," he said.
"We've picked a couple of flyers at loose forward so we can be really competitive at the breakdown."
Prop Tony Woodcock and winger Lolagi Visinia are sidelined for another week with head injuries, while halfback Jimmy Cowan is on leave awaiting the birth of his second child.
Cowan has been replaced in the reserves by Manawatu halfback Jamie Booth, who was called into the squad as injury replacement for Bryn Hall.
Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Pita Ahki, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Dan Bowden, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jerome Kaino (capt), Brendon O'Connor, Luke Braid, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Sam Prattley, Angus Ta'avao, Hayden Triggs, Steven Luatua, Jamie Booth, Ihaia West, Francis Saili.
Share
