Mealamu leads Blues, as Kaino rests
Keven Mealamu has been handed the Blues' captain in the absence of regular skipper Jerome Kaino.
The veteran hooker, Mealamu, will lead the team out against the Crusaders in a Super Rugby Round 11 clash in Christchurch on Saturday.
Kaino has been given time out, as part of an agreement with the All Black management, after playing in eight of the Blues' nine games.
He will be joined on the sidelines by fellow All Blacks James Parsons and Charles Piutau, who get their first break.
On the flipside props Tony Woodcock and Charlie Faumuina will join Mealamu in an all-All Black front row – boasting 260 Test caps and 383 Super Rugby games collectively under their belts.
Steven Luatua returns to play at No.8, with teenager Akira Ioane given a second game after his impressive debut last week.
Jimmy Cowan returns to start at scrumhalf, with Lolagi Visinia at fullback.
Players not considered because of injury include Patrick Tuipulotu, out with a leg injury, and Pita Ahki with a hamstring injury, both likely to be out for two weeks.
Northland hooker Matt Moulds comes on to the bench looking for his debut.
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Francis Saili, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Tevita Li.
Date: Saturday, April 25
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
