Super Rugby Pacific: Blues given boost ahead of final against Crusaders as Dalton Papalii passed fit

The Blues have been given a huge boost ahead of tonight's Super Rugby Pacific final, with captain Dalton Papalii cleared to come off the bench.

The loose forward was facing a late fitness test after initially being bracketed on the bench in the Blues team to take on the Crusaders at Eden Park.

But having been sidelined earlier in the playoffs with appendicitis, Papalii has been deemed fit enough to take his place in the 23, giving his side a massive lift hours before the match.

Dalton Papalii has been cleared to take on the Crusaders. Photo / photosport.nz

Papalii had been in inspirational form for the Blues this season, leading them on a record run of 13 unbeaten matches before being ruled on the eve of the quarter-final against the Highlanders.

The Blues were able to overcome his absence to win that match and then barely see off the Brumbies in last weekend's semifinal, setting up a showdown against the Crusaders at a sold-out Eden Park.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald named an unchanged starting XV for tonight's match but will now be able to turn to Papalii and give the 24-year-old a chance to make an impact similar to what he managed in the round-robin meeting between the sides.

Papalii joined with Rieko Ioane in making a match-winning tackle of the dying moments of that clash in Christchurch, helping the Blues break a 18-year hoodoo in the city.

Now 43,000 fans at Eden Park will be hoping for a similar result tonight - and a fit and firing Papalii will be hoping for a chance to lift the Super Rugby Pacific trophy.