A couple of new faces headline the Blues' team naming for their grudge match with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Rivals collide in Auckland this weekend as the Blues host the Crusaders in a bid to turn their season around.
Not only are the Blues one win from four games to start the season, their trip down to Hamilton to face the Chiefs next week might have got slightly harder with injuries to star playmaker Beauden Barrett and hooker Ricci Riccitelli.
Blues head coach Vern Cotter made the call to give his All Blacks centurion Beauden Barrett a shot at the No. 10 jersey in round four, a call that was quickly rewarded on Saturday evening.
All Black superstar Beauden Barrett is back in the No.10 jersey for the Blues as they prepare to face the strength of the Brumbies on Friday night.
Vern Cotter and the Blues were helped by an immense cameo at first five by All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett.
The reigning champion Blues travel to the Kiwi capital for round three of the new Super Rugby Pacific season hungry for their first win of the young campaign.
Vern Cotter and his side ultimately haven't strung together an 80 minute performance, sitting at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after two rounds with zero points.
The Blues welcome back 2024 Super Rugby Player of the year Hoskins Sotutu at No.8, as German born loose forward Anton Segner misses out.
The Blues have named a near-full strength side to face the Chiefs in Saturday night's rematch of last year's Super Rugby Pacific final.