Blues:
Charles Piutau, Frank Halai, Rene Ranger, Jackson Willison, George Moala, Chris Noakes, Piri Weepu, Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Steven Luatua, Culum Retallick, Ali Williams (c), Angus Ta'avao, James Parsons, Tim Perry.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Anthony Boric, Brendon O'Connor, Jamison Gibson-Park, Baden Kerr, Francis Saili.
Two changes in the starting XV for the Blues, with Willison getting his first start for the Blues at 12, and Tim Perry starting at LH prop. Francis Saili has been good this season, but struggled a bit against the Chiefs last weekend, so it may be a good idea to give Willison (who has been solid off the bench this season) a shot. Meanwhile Keven Mealamu will be making his return from injury from the bench. Personally I would have given Brendon O'Connor a start in the 7 jersey and shifted Luke Braid to 8, as O'Connor has impressed me whenever he has been on the field this season.
The Highlanders will likely be named tomorrow morning, and it will be interesting to see what we do. Woodcock is still not 100%, and Kade Poki is doubtful with his rib injury too. Personally I would drop both Woodcock and Hore from the starting XV - I think the front-row of 1. King, 2. Coltman, 3. Fia is the best we have at the moment. I would keep Woodcock and Hore on the bench (if they are both 100% fit) as their experience could be vital in the final 20 mins if the game is close. Bekhuis and Thorn should start at lock again, but we need to sort out our loose-trio. I would go with 6. Grant, 7. Hardie, 8. Dixon, but Grant doesn't seem to be in the picture at the moment for some reason, despite training with the squad (6. Hardie, 7. Boys, 8. Dixon would be my second choice). I suspect they may be tempted to start Ioane at 6 - as much as I'm not a fan of his, I don't think he will be any less effective at 6 than Hoeata/Wheeler.
The backline more or less picks itself, with Popoali'i likely to start again on the right wing if Poki is out injured. Slade really needs to step-up at 10, otherwise I would be tempted to give either Sopoaga or (even better) Parker a shot. Sopoaga did have a shocker against the Cheetahs (and still struggles to control a game), but I think his creativeness at 10 could be just what the Highlanders need...