Hurricanes v Blues: Teams

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper retains the half-back combination of Alby Mathewson and Willie Ripia for the visit of the Blues.

Cooper sticks with the youthful partnership after last week's eight-try romp against the Brumbies, meaning Piri Weepu must start from the bench once more.

However, Cooper has been forced into changes with full-back Cory Jane ruled out with a calf problem - Tamati Ellison filling in with Zac Guildford coming in on the right wing.

Lock Jason Eaton gets a place in the XV for the Super 14 table-toppers with Bryn Evans, who impressed against the Brumbies, on the bench.

Blues will give a debut to flanker Tom Chamberlain as the South Africans continue to struggle with a growing injury list.

The 22-year-old is one of seven changes to the XV that started last week's home defeat to the Reds, with wing Rene Ranger available again after being stood down for one game for an off-the-field misdemeanour.

Skipper Keven Mealamu returns, while lock Jay Williams partners All Black brother Ali in place of Anthony Boric, who is out for the rest of the season with a fractured toe.

At fly-half, former Hurricane Jimmy Gopperth is back, replacing Tasesa Lavea who aggravated a hamstring problem against the Reds. Winger Rudi Wulf is in an unfamiliar role at full-back.

Hurricanes: 15 Tamati Ellison, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So'oialo (c), 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.

Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Bryn Evans, 19 Api Naikatini, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Jason Kawau, 22 Robert Fruean.

Blues: 15 Rudi Wulf, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Kurtis Haiu, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Jay Williams, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Charlie Faumuina, 18 Dean Budd, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Grayson Hart, 21 Michael Hobbs, 22 Paul Williams.