Lions v Blues: Teams

Lions coach Dick Muir has made two changes to his side for Saturday's Super 14 match against the Blues at Coca-Cola Park.

Lock Franco van der Merwe and tighthead prop Gert Muller are fit after missing last weekend's defeat to Western Force, and loosehead JC Janse van Rensburg has also been passed fit after struggling with an injury during the week and therefore retains his place.

Van der Merwe comes in for Nico Luus while Muller replaces Ross Geldenhuys. On the bench Luus takes over from Jacques Lombard.

Fly-half Daniel Kirkpatrick will make his first start for the Blues amid eight changes to their starting XV.

Kirkpatrick, 21, replaces regular pivot Stephen Brett who is battling injury suffered in the 32-36 loss to the Cheetahs last weekend. Brett has been bracketed on the bench with George Pisi but has not trained this week.

Isaia Toeava returns to full-back after playing centre last week, with Rene Ranger moving into the middle and Paul Williams switching to the wing.

In the pack, Peter Saili starts at number eight ahead of Viliami Ma'afu, Serge Lilo resumes his starting position on the openside ahead of Tom Chamberlain and All Blacks lock Anthony Boric replaces Filo Paulo.

Flanker Jerome Kaino continues his role as skipper in Keven Mealamu's continued absence.

Lions: 15 Carlos Spencer, 14 Michael Killian, 13 Deon van Rensburg, 12 Walter Venter, 11 Tonderai Chavhanga, 10 Herkie Kruger, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Derick Minnie, 7 Wikus van Heerden, 6 Cobus Grobbelaar, 5 George Earl, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Gert Muller 2 Charles Emslie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Replacements: 16 Hannes Franklin, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Nico Luus, 19 Justin Wheeler, 20 Jacques Coetzee, 21 Jaco Taute, 22 Bernardo Botha

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