Heavyweights return to face 'Saders
A number of experienced campaigners return to the Blues starting XV for Saturday's heavyweight clash with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The 102 Test veteran Keven Mealamu has overcome a calf strain to start at hooker, while Culum Retallick and Luke Braid also return to bolster a powerful forward pack.
"Kevvie [Mealamu] is great, he got through training and he's the best we've seen him – so he's in good shape," Blues head coach John Kirwan said.
"I think Luke is really on top of his game. He was in a situation where we needed to give him some time out of the game last week and it was the same with Culum. They've both come back in and I think they've been having defining seasons and deserve to be back out there."
Despite being named in the All Blacks wider training squad earlier this week, inside centre Francis Saili makes way for Jackson Willison who is back to full fitness after suffering an ankle sprain against the Queensland Reds in Round 11.
"Jacko [Willison] gives us a little bit more voice and experience out there, and then we can bring Ces [Francis Saili] on late in the game and really break it up," Kirwan said.
"It's difficult for him because he played well in attack last week, but we think Jackson just provides a bit of steadiness in the midfield."
Prop Sam Prattley, called into the squad midway through the season to replace the injured Charlie Faumuina, will have the chance to make his Blues debut after being named on the bench in place of Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
James Parsons has failed to shrug off a neck injury and will sit this week out as Quentin MacDonald is named as the reserve hooker.
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (captain), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tim Perry.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Francis Saili.
Date: Saturday, May 18
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
