The Blues have dropped livewire centre Rene Ranger to the bench for Saturday’s must-win match against the Western Force in one of five personnel changes made by head coach Pat Lam.
Ranger is currently the top try scorer for the Blues and has been a constant threat for opposition defences all season, but his moments of brilliance have been punctuated with moment of madness, prompting Lam to opt for the defensive prowess of Benson Stanley.
25-year-old Stanley has overcome a head knock to partner Luke McAlister in the midfield, with Lam planning to use Ranger as an impact player off the bench.
"Every week there has been a challenge with that backline. With Benson back and Luke back and the back three going really well I just felt that Rene will serve us well in the second half," Lam said on the Blues site.
Flanker Serge Lilo is another player to feel the repercussions of last week’s disappointing loss to the Stormers and has been dropped from the squad altogether as Tom Chamberlain gets his first start of the season with Peter Saili providing cover on the bench.
Lam said the uncompromising Chamberlain had been chomping at the bit to break into the staring XV and hoped that would be reflected in his performance against the Western Force on Saturday.
"He’s been enthusiastic at training and waiting for his opportunity and I felt the week before we head off to South Africa was the best time to give it to him," he said.
"He’s raw boned, pretty aggressive and he’s dying to get out there and hopefully we’ll see the benefit of that on Saturday."
Anthony Boric has joined fellow lock Ali Williams on the sidelines with an ankle injury as young North Harbour lock Filo Paulo starts alongside Kurtis Haiu.
Injuries continue to cause havoc with the make-up of the Blues forward pack, with All Black props John Afoa and Tony Woodcock needing to pass fitness tests before they are cleared to play.
The Blues team
15. Isaia Toeava, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Benson Stanley, 12. Luke McAlister, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Viliami Ma'afu, 7. Tom Chamberlain, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Filo Paulo, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 3. John Afoa/ Tevita Mailau, 2. Keven Mealamu (c) , 1. Tony Woodcock / Michael Reid
16. Tom McCartney, 17. Tevita Mailau, 18. Andrew Van Der Heijden, 19. Peter Saili, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Rene Ranger, 22. Paul Williams,
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