Blues skipper Jerome Kaino faces a massive challenge in his 100th match for the franchise as they look to avoid an 0-3 start to the new Super Rugby season in Bloemfontein on Saturday (NZ time).
The stakes have been raised significantly for the All Black flanker's milestone game after the Blues dropped their home opener to the Chiefs and then stumbled 27-16 against the Stormers last weekend when lock Hayden Triggs was sent off in the 24th minute.
That has heaped the pressure on Sir John Kirwan's team to open their account this week against a Cheetahs outfit who were impressive in their week one 35-29 victory over the Sharks in Durban. The Cheetahs had the bye last round.
Kaino will lead a significantly rejigged Blues outfit who lost Triggs to a one-week suspension on the back of his red card for throwing punches at Stormers skipper Duane Vermeulen.
There was at least some good news for Kirwan as All Blacks loose forward Steven Luatua passed a fitness test on the shoulder he injured against the Stormers.
But Kirwan has elected to pick Luatua in the reserves where he will cover both the second row and loose forward positions.
That's probably an indication the shoulder is not quite 100 per cent, and also reflects the need to have quality lock cover on his bench following Triggs' withdrawal.
Kirwan has made five personnel changes to his starting XV and also heavily rejigged his backline.
All Black forwards Charlie Faumuina and Patrick Tuipulotu earn their first starts of the year among three changes in the pack. Faumuina replaces Angus Ta'avao at tighthead prop, Tuipulotu comes in for Triggs, while former captain Luke Braid replaces Luatua on the side of the scrum.
In the backline rookie Melani Nanai makes his first appearance for the Blues, replacing Ben Lam on the right wing.
Nanai is a wider training group player who has played for Auckland at both sevens and XVs level. He represented Samoa at the 2013 junior world championship in New Zealand.Other changes see Lolagi Visinia replace the out of sorts Francis Saili, with All Black Charles Piutau moving from fullback to centre, Hamish Northcott inside a spot to second five and Visinia slotting in at fullback.
Talented young loose forward Akira Ioane returns to the bench.
New signing Dan Bowden re-aggravated his foot injury and has returned to New Zealand. He is replaced in the reserves by Simon Hickey.
Resting Blues hooker Keven Mealamu, set to become the most capped Super Rugby player of all time (with 163) when he next takes the field, paid tribute to Kaino's milestone achievement.
Mealamu said it was not just the "physical presence" of Kaino that made him such a valuable member of the Blues.
"People probably do not realise that Jerome has a very good understanding of rugby and his position. In our team he is a guru of defence, not just because he of his own physicality, but also his intricate knowledge of the game and defensive systems. He is a very smart player."
He will need all of those smarts this weekend to rally his free-falling team and secure a much-needed win to open their account in Super Rugby.
BLUES: Lolagi Visinia, Melani Nanai, Charles Piutau, Hamish Northcott, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Jimmy Cowan; Jerome Kaino (c), Brendon O'Connor, Luke Braid, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Angus Ta'avao, Steven Luatua, Akira Ioane, Jamison Gibson-Park, Simon Hickey, Francis Sail
- Stuff
