KEY POINTS:
On the surface it looks an unusual reaction to bench several backline stars. Even more so when the Blues' next opponent arrives with the confidence of four successive victories.
But coach David Nucifora believes the strategy of resting Isa Nacewa and Luke McAlister will have long term benefits for his Super 14 squad rather than any immediate mishaps when they meet the Lions tomorrow at Eden Park.
The experienced David Holwell and Sam Tuitupou fill the five-eighths vacancies while in another change, Nick Williams is picked at No 8 with Jerome Kaino switching to blindside flanker instead of Angus Macdonald.
Williams returns to the side for his first match this season after overcoming earlier hamstring troubles. The No 8 is the heaviest man in the Blues and the coaches hope his size will counter some of the bulk of the Lions.
The South Africans have also made three changes with the most crucial the choice of Springbok first five-eighths Andre Pretorius after he survived fitness testing on his troublesome hamstring.
The visitors have been the surprise side of the tournament opening up with domestic wins against the Crusaders and Highlanders and then reversing their sorry overseas record by winning both their matches in Australia. That impressive start has not deterred Nucifora from his original plan to make selection changes for this game.
But it will reinforce the impression the Lions have felt since their arrival.
"We have already been written off," coach Eugene Eloff said.
"It also makes my job easier to prepare the team mentally and to plan strategy. We have nothing to lose.
"Any team can win any match on a given day. It's all about the team making the best use of their chances."
* The conditioning All Blacks from the Blues and Chiefs squads are expected to play in a trial match in Auckland on Tuesday, ahead of their scheduled return to the Super 14 in round eight.
