All Blacks Sevens loose forward Akira Ioane will make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues against the Highlanders on Saturday.
With Luke Braid sidelined by concussion, and Steven Luatua rested after playing every game so far, 19-year-old Ioane will start on the blindside flank in Dunedin.
Ioane's New Zealand under-20 teammate Blake Gibson has been named in the reserves.
Buoyed by their first win of the Super Rugby season last week, the Blues are battling a series of niggling injuries ahead of the Highlanders game, with Tony Woodcock, Melani Nanai and George Moala all bracketed.
The Blues are coming off a narrow 16-14 win over Australian conference leaders the Brumbies, while the Highlanders will be boosted by their 25-20 win against the Crusaders.
Halfback Bryn Hall is still recovering from foot surgery, but former All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan returns to the bench after the birth of his second child to play against his former franchise.
Blues: Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Pita Ahki, George Moala/Francis Saili, Melani Nanai/Tevita Li, Dan Bowden, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jerome Kaino (captain), Brendon O'Connor, Akira Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Angus Ta'avao, James Parsons, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock/Sam Prattley, Charlie Faumuina, Hayden Triggs, Blake Gibson, Jimmy Cowan, Ihaia West, Francis Saili/Hamish Northcott.
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