Beauden Barrett will return to his preferred position at first-five for the Blues' Super Rugby Aotearoa clash against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Sunday.
Barrett has been named in the No.10 jersey after Otete Black injured his neck during the Blues' 29-27 loss to the Hurricanes last Saturday.
The 29-year-old hasn't started a match at first-five since September 7 last year when the All Blacks beat Tonga in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match.
"It's his favorite position and he's played his best rugby there," says Blues assistant Dan Halangahu. "But he will always do what's best for the team.
"He just wants the best team out on the park and play his role.
"He's the best running ten in the world, he loves to attack the line, but he's bringing a whole rounded game."
Since returning from a sabbatical after the Rugby World Cup, Barrett has been playing fullback for the Blues, with coach Leon MacDonald putting his faith in Black, who led the Auckland franchise to five wins before the Super Rugby season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Barett switched to first-five for the second half of the Canes clash and expressed his desire to don the No.10 jersey after Black's injury.
Black has been named on the bench, but will be replaced by Emoni Harawa if he's unable to play.
With Barrett moving to first-five, Matt Duffie starts at fullback. Other changes in the backline see Caleb Clarke return to the wing after missing last weekend's clash to attend his grandfather's funeral, while TJ Faiane comes in for Harry Plummer.
In the forwards, Blake Gibson returns from injury for Aaron Carroll, while Akira Ioane remains at No.8 with Hoskins Sotutu still out with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs have made one change to their starting lineup as they seek their first win of the Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign with Reuben O'Neill replacing Aidan Ross in the front row.
In the reserves, young prop Ollie Norris joins the twenty-three alongside Taranaki halfback Lisati Milo-Harris.
Loose forward Adam Thomson will don jersey nineteen for his 100th Investec Super Rugby appearance.
Earlier this season, the Blues claimed a 24-12 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Over 27,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday's match at Eden Park.
Blues: 1-Alex Hodgman, 2-Kurt Eklund 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5-Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 6-Blake Gibson, 7-Dalton Papalii, 8-Akira Ioane, 9-Finlay Christie, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-TJ Faiane, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Mark Telea, 15-Matt Duffie
Reserves: 16-Luteru Tolai, 17-Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18-Sione Mafileo, 19-Josh Goodhue, 20-Tony Lamborn, 21-Sam Nock, 22-Otere Black or Emoni Harawa, 23-Harry Plummer
Chiefs: 1-Reuben O'Neill, 2-Bradley Slater, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Tupou Vaa'i, 5-Mitchell Brown, 6-Lachlan Boshier, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Pita Gus Sowakula, 9-Brad Weber, 10-Kaleb Trask, 11-Solomon Alaimalo, 12-Alex Nankivell, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Sean Wainui, 15-Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16-Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17-Ollie Norris, 18-Ross Geldenhuys, 19-Adam Thomson, 20-Mitchell Karpik, 21-Lisati Milo-Harris, 22-Aaron Cruden, 23-Quinn Tupaea
Join us for live updates of the Blues v Chiefs Super Rugby Aotearoa clash from 3:30pm Sunday
