The Blues and Highlanders have named near-unchanged line-ups for the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman Final at Eden Park.
The hosts will be without Tom Robinson after he was forced from the field last week with a concussion during their win over the Western Force.
In his place, Akira Ioane shifts to flanker after making an impact from the bench in previous weeks.
Robinson joins prop Ofa Tuungafasi on the sidelines, with the All Black set to undergo surgery to deal with a lingering knee injury.
Despite heading into the clash as favourites, coach Leon McDonald is refusing to take the Highlanders lightly despite their recent success.
“The Highlanders have been outstanding all season. They have excellent set-piece, they are very accurate and they have some dangerous attacking players. It should be a whale of a game," he said.
“It’s sad for Ofa who is our longest serving current player while Tom has led us well this year when Patrick was injured. The boys will be determined to do well for them on Saturday.”
Meanwhile, the visitors have been boosted after Jona Nareki and Pari Pari Parkinson were named despite injury concerns.
The pair left the field early during their 33-12 win over the Brumbies with shoulder complaints. However, they have been named by Clarke Dermody, maintaining an unchanged starting line-up.
The only change comes on the bench, with Ayden Johnstone returning from a foot complaint.
They enter the match with extra motivation as co-captain Ash Dixon brings up his 100th game for the club.
Dixon was recently named captain of the Maori All Blacks side, which is set to face Manu Samoa in a two-test series.
Saturday 19 May 5:05 pm AEST – Blues v Highlanders at Eden Park, ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport and LIVE on 9Gem
BLUES (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Otere Black, Mark Telea, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: Ray Niula, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Blake Gibson, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam
INs: Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue, Ray Niula
OUTs: Ofa Tuungafasi, Jacob Pierce, Soane Vikena
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan De Groot, Ash Dixon (co-c), Siate Tokolahi, Pari Pari Parkinson, Bryn Evans, Hugh Renton, Billy Harmon, Kazuki Himeno, Aaron Smith (co-c), Mitch Hunt, Jona Nareki, Scott Gregory, Michael Collins, Sio Tomkinson, Josh Ioane
Reserves: Liam Coltman, Ayden Johnstone, Josh Hohneck, Josh Dickson, James Lentjes, Kayne Hammington, Sam Gilbert, Teariki Ben-Nicholas
INs: Ayden Johnstone
OUTs: Daniel Lienert-Brown
