The Hurricanes have named perhaps their strongest matchday 23 yet this season for their round 10 clash with the Western Force in Perth.
Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele'a and Will Jordan have been regularly been used in the past couple of years, but with Tele'a rumoured to be moving overseas to Japan, a spot has opened up.
The Crusaders escaped Wellington with a win, but only narrowly after some poor decisions late in the piece compounded pressure in the windy city.
The Crusaders sent a message to the rest of the competition in Super Rugby Pacific with a 31-24 win over the Hurricanes at Sky Stadium.
The Hurricanes sit on the cusp of a playoff berth heading into round nine's clash with the Crusaders in Wellington and have the luxury of consistent selection for the derby.
Two traditional heavyweights of Super Rugby, currently on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, collided at Eden Park on Saturday evening.
The Hurricanes have the benefit of consistency in a tumultuous Super Rugby Pacific season, naming a settled matchday 23 to take on the Blues in Auckland.
The seventh round of Super Rugby Pacific only featured four matches, but wasn't devoid of drama, with Moana Pasifika achieving the greatest win in their short history of struggle.
The Hurricanes have made it eight straight wins over the NSW Waratahs on Friday evening, where fans at Sky Stadium in Wellington were treated to a one sided affair, with the Hurricanes taking the spoils, 57-12.
After losing starting first five-eighth Brett Cameron to an ACL injury prior to the season, the Hurricanes have now lost breakout playmaking talent Harry Godfrey for six weeks.