The absence of lock Josh Bekhuis is the notable omission from the Blues team to take on South African front runners, the Lions in Johannesburg on Sunday (NZT).
Bekhuis tweaked his calf in the win over the Kings in Port Elizabeth, with the injury not improving sufficiently to play.
It will be the first game that the Super Rugby centurion has missed this year for the Blues, with the aggressive Hoani Matenga to take his place for his third start in the last five games.
With a major battle expected up front, All Black Charlie Faumuina returns to start in the front row alongside the in-form Sam Prattley and skipper James Parsons.
Robust loose forward Joe Edwards moves into the reserves with Steven Luatua providing the lock cover.
