Blues v Lions: Teams

Blues coach Pat Lam rings the changes for the visit of South African-based Lions, with flanker Josh Blackie and wing Rudi Wulf going straight into the starting XV.

In a near-total back-line reshuffle, Tasesa Lavea starts at fly-half, Isaia Toeava is at inside centre and Anthony Tuitavake at outside centre.

Scrum-half Taniela Moa has been stood down after an alleged bottle-throwing incident at an Auckland rugby club, for which he is under investigation. He is replaced by Chris Smylie.

The only remaining concern is a hamstring strain suffered by wing Joe Rokocoko, who has been bracketed with Rene Ranger for the game.

But it is Blackie's return that will be a big boost to the Blues at the breakdown, which has given them quite a few problems this year.

"We're just pleased he's back now and he's another one excited to get back out there," Lam said.

"It's all very well playing the big picture stuff but if we don't get those details right, and in the games before we've been short at rucks and the first job hasn't been done well by the ball carrier and the first arrival, it makes it real difficult for our big guys.

"I'm confident if we do that well then we can play."

Grobbelaar out

Lions coach Eugene Eloff has also been forced into a number of changes for the trip to Eden Park, with skipper Cobus Grobbelaar sitting this one out.

Todd Clever fills in at blindside, with Ernst Joubert switching to the other flank, while Willem Alberts comes in at number eight.

Gerhard Mostert joins Anton van Zyl in the second row, with Jannes Labuschagne sidelined, while prop Gert Muller gets a start with Lawrence Sephaka on the bench.

There are two changes to the backs, one enforced, with Deon van Rensberg joining new skipper Jaque Fourie in the centres as Doppies La Grange picked up a knock in the latest defeat to the high-flying Chiefs.

Chris Jonck is handed the number nine jersey with Jano Vermaak starting from the bench.

Blues: 15 Paul Williams. 14 Joe Rokocoko/Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Jay Williams, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Jimmy Gopperth/Rene Ranger.

Lions: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Shandre Frolick, 13 Jaque Fourie (capt), 12 Deon van Rensburg, 11 Henno Mentz, 10 Andre Pretorius, 9 Chris Jonck, 8 Willem Alberts, 7 Ernst Joubert, 6 Todd Clever, 5 Gerhard Mostert, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Gert Muller, 2 Willie Wepener, 1 Heinke van der Merwe.
Replacements: 16 Hans van Dyk, 17 Lawrence Sephaka, 18 Franco van der Merwe, 19 Robert Kruger, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Earl Rose, 22 Jannie Boshoff.