Sonny Bill Williams has replaced fellow-All Blacks midfield veteran Ma'a Nonu in the Blues starting lineup for their Super Rugby match against the Sharks in Durban.
The cross-code star will make his maiden run-on appearance of the season on Sunday (AEDT), at the expense of former Test great Nonu, who is omitted following the opening 24-22 loss to the Crusaders in Auckland.
Nonu was solid in his first Super Rugby game for four years but exposed defensively at outside centre by Crusaders young gun Braydon Ennor.
Coach Leon MacDonald has made a key tactical change by shifting TJ Faiane to outside centre, seemingly leaving Williams and Nonu to joust for the No.12 jersey this season.
"We feel TJ has been a consistent performer and has the skill set probably more suited to (outside) centre than Sonny and Ma'a," MacDonald told reporters.
"It's a tough decision to leave Ma'a out after a very strong performance but it's a great opportunity for Sonny."
WIlliams was always going to the start this week, MacDonald said, with the 32-year-old desperate for more game time than his injury-ravaged 2018 campaign as he pursues selection at a third World Cup.
The Blues have made four starting changes, with All Blacks props Karl Tu'inukuafe and Ofa Tu'ungafasi both promoted after bench roles last week.
Rising teenage winger Caleb Clarke is also introduced against a Sharks side who opened with a 45-10 crushing of the Sunwolves in Singapore.
BLUES: Melani Nanai, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Parsons, Karl Tu'inukuafe. Res: Matt Moulds, Alex Hodgman, Sione Mafileo, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Matich, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Tanielu Tele'a.
