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Luke McAlister of the Blues - Source: Photosport -
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Luke McAlister has been given the nod at first five-eighths ahead of Stephen Brett for the Blues' clash with the Chiefs at Eden Park
With Benson Stanley overcoming a head knock to shore up the midfield alongside Jared Payne, Blues head coach Pat Lam felt McAlister was the preferred option to orchestrate the team's game plan at 10 from the opening whistle.
"When we put the game plan together on how we wanted to beat the Chiefs we went through the squad and decided who was the best to deliver that game plan and at this stage and we felt that Luke was the best option," Lam said.
"With the way the Chiefs play it was crucial that Benson came straight back in with his defensive prowess and experience there at second five-eighths and we felt Luke would be best suited at 10."
Blues captain Keven Mealamu has been given a rest and will warm the reserves bench, with Jerome Kaino pulling on the captain's armband in Mealamu's absence.
That paves the way for Tom McCartney to switch from prop to his preferred position of hooker, with Tevita Mailau starting at loosehead prop.
"We haven't seen Kevvie since the Stormers game and part of the All Black agreement was that he got that time away. He's had 14 good days with the bye and he'll just come in for the captain's run and will sit on the bench," Lam said.
However Lam would not be drawn on the hooker's involvement in Saturday night's fixture.
"It's just like every other week; there are 22 players in the squad and we'll just see how the game unfolds. He's available to get on the field, whether it's minute one or minute 80 or not at all, he'll just be like the rest of the subs so you never know. There's no definite plan as to when we'll get him on, if at all."
After a much improved game against the Stormers, Rene Ranger returns to the right wing in place of Sherwin Stowers who drops to the bench.
"We thought Rene was so much better when he came on against the Stormers," Lam said.
"He got involved, set up the try, made his tackles and came through error free and that's what we want from Rene - to enjoy his rugby but more importantly to be accurate and we were pleased with what he did so now when he starts the game we expect him to carry that on."
Blues: Lachie Munro, Joe Rokocoko, Jared Payne, Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Luke McAlister, Alby Mathewson, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Anthony Boric, John Afoa, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Chris Lowery, Sean Polwart, Chris Smylie, Stephen Brett, Sherwin Stowers.
