"A lot of the guys in their team are my mates, and I spent a year playing down there so the match definitely has a bit more meaning to it for me.
"I love playing against the Crusaders because it's a good physical battle and you have to be at your upmost upstairs because they can challenge you with all the little things too.
Embattled Blues coach Pat Lam refused to comment on a media report that he'd been sent a text with racist overtones by another high profile rugby figure, instead focusing his attention on the weekend's match.
"It's going to be a dogfight," he said, "They're hurting, we're hurting, there will be a lot of feeling down there. There has been a very focused mood for us this week. There was a lot of weight lifted off by breaking the losing sequence."
The Blues have made four changes to the side that beat the Lions last weekend with Charlie Faumuina dropping out through a calf injury and Pete Saili moving to the bench.
Under-21 standout Steven Luatua starts in the No 6 jersey, Tony Woodcock comes in at hooker while Tevita Mailau moves to the other side of the front row while Luke Braid shifts from six to no.8.
The Blues injury crises sees 10 different players in the squad for this Saturday night's match who were not in the 22 for the first round clash against the Crusaders in February.
Blues: 15 Hadleigh Parkes, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Benson Stanley, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Luke Braid (c), 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Steve Luatua, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Liaki Moli 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock
Blues: James Parsons, Angus Ta'avao, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Lachie Munro, Sherwin Stowers.
