The Blues will be forced to call on players in their development group next week due to a rising injury toll, which will be made worse by the impending loss of their three New Zealand Under-20s players.
Up to 13 players could be unavailable for tomorrow night's match against the Hurricanes at Eden Park due to injury. Another, All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina, will be rested.
Next weekend's bye will give them breathing space, but there could be a host of relative unknowns involved in the following matches against the Crusaders and Highlanders.
Loose forwards Akira Ioane and Blake Gibson and wing Tevita Li will join the Under-20s on Sunday before their departure to the World Championships in Italy, with coach Sir John Kirwan saying he had the option of retaining them but wanted to make good on a promise he made at the start of the season.
Kirwan has also been forced to name his third captain of the season - hooker James Parsons - after injury ruled out Jerome Kaino and Steven Luatua.
