Blues v Chiefs: Teams

Isaia Toeava will miss out on the chance to reach 50 Super Rugby appearances for the Blues after an ongoing hip injury sidelined him for the clash with the Chiefs.

The 23-year-old is replaced by Paul Williams at full-back, with Rudi Wulf coming in on the wing.

The Blues also however doubts over Rene Ranger and Jerome Kaino, with Luke McAlister and Peter Saili on standby.

Ranger has twisted his knee and Kaino has suffered a muscle strain and will undergo late fitness tests.

Keven Mealamu, though, returns to the starting XV to captain the side after missing the last two games with a calf strain.

The Chiefs have opted to use their last game of the season to blood a number of players from their wider training squad.

Fly-half Trent Renata and inside centre Phil Burleigh have been given the chance to shine, while Jason Hona, Save Tokula and Tim Nanai-Williams combine in the back three.

Jackson Willison and Brendon Leonard also come into form a new-look backline.

In the forwards, props Toby Smith and Ben Afeaki will combine with hooker Aled de Malmanche.

Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rene Ranger/Luke McAlister, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino/Peter Saili, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 George Pisi.

Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Save Tokula, 13 Jackson Willison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Jason Hona, 10 Trent Renata, 9 Brendon Leonard, 1 Toby Smith, 2 Aled de Malmanche, 3 Ben Afeaki, 4 Craig Clarke, 5 Culum Retallick, 6 Liam Messam (c), 7 Tanerau Latimer, 8 Colin Bourke.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Kevin O'Neill, 19 Luke Braid 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Siale Piutau, 22 Tim Mikkelson.