Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has selected a young side to face the Crusaders this weekend.
Despite missing so many regular starters, Kirwan has also made the bold call to overlook former All Blacks midfielder Francis Saili and Lolagi Visinia.
Not only do the Blues have 12 players sidelined, including Charlie Faumuina, Tony Woodcock and Charles Piutau, they have also lost in‑form loose‑forwards Akira Ioane and Blake Gibson to the New Zealand Under‑20s campaign.
The Blues will face the Crusaders at 7.35pm Saturday.
Source: radionz.co.nz