Rokocoko out: Weekend news
Joe Rokocoko is one of a number of All Blacks missing from the Blues' starting XV.
Auckland Blues coach David Nucifora has shown faith in his winning side by opting to hold back all of his 'reconditioned' All Blacks this weekend.
The Blues take on the Waratahs having won five of their first six matches, including last week's 41-14 hammering of the Lions.
Kiwi winger Joe Rokocoko is an enforced absentee due to an ankle injury, but he is joined by fellow New Zealand internationals Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock on the sidelines.
Williams and Woodcock will gain match sharpness in club rugby instead, while Keven Mealamu's inclusion on the bench is merely due to the absence of regular hooking cover Saimone Taumoepeau.
Chris Heard replaces Taumoepeau at loosehead in one of five changes, while Angus Macdonald comes into the back row in a surprise swap for the impressive Nick Williams.
Sean Devine and Isa Nacewa form a fresh half-back partnership, with George Pisi taking Ben Atiga's place at full-back.
Perhaps surprisingly, the Waratahs have kept an unchanged line-up for Friday's encounter despite losing 16-10 to the Stormers in their last outing.
Ewen McKenzie's men have won just once all season, but he is refusing to panic ahead of their trip to Auckland.
"We're still in it and we're going to New Zealand as underdogs," he told Planet Rugby website.
"I'm really happy with the focus this week and although we've been written off in many quarters we know the tide will turn soon."
McKenzie's unwavering faith means Lote Tuqiri and Morgan Turinui continue in midfield, with Sam Norton-Knight - the man Tuqiri shoved two weeks ago - continuing outside of him on the right wing.
Crusaders boss Robbie Deans has done the complete opposite to Blues coach Nucifora, recalling all six of his returning All Blacks for the visit of the Stormers - live on Sky Sports Xtra.
Taking a different perspective on the return of his Kiwi stars, Deans believes it is best for the entire squad if the big names are reacquainted with Super 14 life as soon as possible.
As a result, Leon MacDonald comes in at full-back, meaning Scott Hamilton switches to the wing following his try-scoring exploits of last week.
Aaron Mauger slots in alongside Casey Laulala at inside-centre, with All Blacks icon Daniel Carter back to orchestrate things at pivot.
The pack sees Chris Jack, Richie McCaw and Reuben Thorne all return, although McCaw will not regain the captaincy as Deans give the flanker space to concentrate on his game.
The return of the 'super-six' means lock Michael Paterson and flankers Kieran Read and Johnny Leo'o act as cover, on a five-two bench that sees Stephen Brett and Kevin Senio as the only backline options.
South Africa's Stormers have named a new second-row pairing for their trip to Jade Stadium, with Ross Skeate and Francois van der Merwe teaming up at the line-out.
They replace Andries Bekker and Gerrie Britz, who are given a rest by coach Kobus van der Merwe.
Elsewhere, the South Africans have suffered an 11th-hour setb
