Blues eye another Aussie scalp
The Blues, fresh from their impressive demolition of the Brumbies last week, could have a big say in which of the Australian teams qualify for the play-offs.
Should they beat the Waratahs and deny the team from Sydney any points, the Brumbies will automatically advance to the quarterfinals.
"We may have missed out on the play-offs but our focus from the start of the season has been to work hard and improve every match," Blues coach Tana Umaga said.
"This week is no different. In some ways it is more important because we put things together well at times during last week's win over the Brumbies, but it won't count for much if we can't back it up with another good performance."
Umaga has named the same starting line-up for a third straight game since the resumption following the June international window.
They will again be led by captain James Parsons sharing the front row with All Black Ofa Tu'ungafasi, with the pair among six Blues players who have played in every game this season.
Steven Luatua joins wing Tevita Li as the only players to have started in every game this season.
While Bryn Hall and Ihaia West also set to play in every game, either starting or off the bench.
All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and George Moala have made progress with their recovery from injury but both have been bracketed on the bench.
Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Male Sa'u, 12 Piers Francis,11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Kara Pryor, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Josh Bekhuis,4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Sione Mafileo or Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt Vaega or George Moala, 23 Lolagi Visinia.
Date: Friday, July 15
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEST; 07.30 GMT)
Referee: Mike Fraser
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill, Kane McBride
TMO: Ben Skeen
