Ranger keeps spot in Blues' lineup

Taniwha centre Rene Ranger has maintained his spot amidst wholesale changes in the Blues side to take on the Bulls at Eden Park tomorrow.

Ranger has been in dominating form so far this Super Rugby season, attracting the attention of national media as whispers of Ranger shipping overseas emerge.

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has made six changes to the starting XV and four to the reserves bench.

"This is a marathon, not a sprint," Kirwan said. "If we're going to be successful now and in the future then we need to have a full squad and we need to have internal competition, so it was about giving the guys that have worked really hard in the off-season the opportunity to step up."

Like the Blues, the Bulls have won their first two games to lead the South African Conference. Kirwan said this was "the biggest test yet" for his team and that the Bulls posed a much different challenge from their previous matches.

"When you play New Zealand franchises you're playing teams with the same philosophy, a philosophy of 'let's play football and may the best team win' but I think the Africans pose a different challenge," Kirwan said.

"They are a bit more brutal, they play to their strengths, they bash you up and are very physical and aggressive, so we've got to be ready for that."

Tasman prop Tim Perry will make his Super Rugby debut in place of Tom McCartney, while Quentin MacDonald replaces James Parsons at hooker.

Liaki Moli will start ahead of Culum Retallick at lock and Steven Luatua shifts to the back of the scrum to replace Peter Saili as Kane Barrett slots in at blindside flanker.

In the backs, Baden Kerr will make his first start in the number 10 jersey in place of Chris Noakes while Taranaki wing Waisake Naholo will make his Super Rugby debut on the left wing.

Ronald Raaymakers, Marty McKenzie and Jamison Gibson-Park are all poised to make their Super Rugby debuts after being named on the bench.

After a 31,014 strong crowd converged on Eden Park for the Blues' first home game of the season last week, Kirwan said he was hoping for another bumper crowd tomorrow afternoon at 4.05pm.

Head to Head: Played 17 Blues 11 Bulls 5 drawn 1.

In Auckland: Played 6 Blues 6 Bulls 0.

Last clash: Round 3, 2012: Blues 29 Bulls 23 at Loftus Versfeld.

Blues

Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Francis Saili, Waisake Naholo, Baden Kerr, Piri Weepu, Steven Luatua, Luke Braid, Kane Barrett, Ali Williams, Liaki Moli, Charlie Faumuina, Quentin MacDonald, Tim Perry. Reserves: James Parsons, Angus Ta'avao, Ronald Raaymakers, Brendon O'Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Marty McKenzie, Albert Nikoro.