The Blues have made a pair of changes to their starting side to face the Chiefs at FMG Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.
Akira Ioane and Dalton Papalii have been named in the loose forwards, replacing injured duo Tom Robinson and Blake Gibson respectively.
Ioane, who didn't play during the Blues' 30-20 win over the Hurricanes, will start at blindside flanker, with Papalii, who came off the bench, slotting in at openside.
Robinson sustained a knee injury in the win over the Hurricanes, while Gibson was forced from the field with a hamstring injury and a head knock.
There are also two changes on the bench, with US international Tony Lamborn and Sione Mafileo coming into play.
The rest of the team is unchanged, with Beauden Barrett remaining at fullback and Otere Black at first-five.
"We know that last week was a good start, but that we will need to get better, if we want a positive result against the Chiefs," says Blues coach Leon MacDonald.
"The players who took the field will be better for that experience, especially understanding the importance of discipline at the breakdown and getting back into competition after so long off.
"Parts of our play were good last week, but we must lift to another level against what we know is a very good and very physical Chiefs side, as well as a healthy rivalry with our neighbours."
The Blues are top of the Super Rugby Aotearoa standings, although history will be against them against the Hamilton-based side.
The Chiefs have won 16 of their last 17 Super Rugby games against the Blues, including a 37-29 victory in January.
The Blues last won in Hamilton in 2011.
Blues: 1-Alex Hodgman, 2-James Parsons, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi , 4-Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5-Josh Goodhue, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papalii, 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 9-Sam Nock, 10-Otere Black, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-TJ Faiane, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Mark Telea, 15-Beauden Barrett
Reserves: 16-Kurt Eklund, 17-Marcel Renata, 18-Sione Mafileo, 19-Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20-Tony Lamborn 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Harry Plummer, 23-Matt Duffie
Join us at 7pm Saturday for live updates of the Chiefs v Blues Super Rugby Aotearoa clash.
