Blues v Reds: Teams

All Black lock Ali Williams returns to the bench for the first time since round seven as he steps up his comeback from an Achilles injury.

Blues coach Pat Lam has also taken the chance to give two more of his New Zealand forwards, Keven Mealamu and Jerome Kaino, a breather by putting them on the bench with Williams.

Lam has also recalled fly-half Tasesa Lavea from injury in place of Jimmy Gopperth as his side prepares for a tough final three matches against fellow play-off contenders Hurricanes, Brumbies and Crusaders.

Hooker Tom McCartney gets his first start for the fifth-placed Aucklanders with skipper Mealamu rested while veteran flanker Justin Collins comes back from a hamstring injury to take over the captaincy duties.

Collins' inclusion sees a back-row reshuffle with number eight Kaino, who has a couple of niggling injuries, starting from the bench.

Missing from the Blues' 22 is winger Rene Ranger who has been stood down pending a police inquiry and NZRU misconduct hearing into an alleged assault.

Braid ruled out

Reds make three changes to the side that went down 31-20 to the Lions last week.

Former All Black flanker Daniel Braid is out for the rest of the season with a ruptured achillies tendon and is replaced by Poutasi Luafutu in the starting XV.

Wallaby Peter Hynes is out with a knee injury which gives rookie wing Luke Morahan an opportunity for his first run-on start.

The only unforced change to the Reds is the return of experienced lock Van Humphries at the expense of Adam Byrnes who moves across to the bench.

Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Chris Lowrey, 7 Josh Blackie, 6 Justin Collins (c), 5 Anthony Boric, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Jimmy Gopperth, 22 Michael Hobbs.

Reds: 15 Mark McLinden, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Brando Va'aulu, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Ezra Taylor, 7 Poutasi Luafutu, 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Sean Hardman, 1 Greg Holmes

Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Jack Kennedy, 18 Adam Byrnes, 19 Scott Higginbotham, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Anthony Faingaa