The Blues’ two talented pivots both get their chance to start in Friday’s Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders.
Bryn Gatland returns for his fifth start at first-five, with in-form Stephen Perofeta, who has started in the last three games at No 10, moving to fullback.
The position is not foreign to him, having played much of his time at Taranaki in that position, which offers him more room for his elusive running.
The squad's other custodians - Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor and Michael Collins - are among the 18 walking wounded not considered for selection.
The tight five remains mostly intact with the versatile Jimmy Tupou moving into the second row – a role he has played often – alongside the in-form Patrick Tuipulotu, who will be honoured after the game for achieving his 50th cap for the Blues in Japan last week.
Last year’s New Zealand Under-20s player Dalton Papalii, impressive off the bench in Tokyo, gets his first start after injury earlier in the season, taking Tupou’s spot on the flank.
In the backs, Rieko Ioane moves back to his accustomed left wing, where his battle with All Blacks teammate Waisaki Naholo should be a show-stopper, with TJ Faiane and Orbyn Leger paired in the midfield.
A storming debut with two tries for big Northland wing Jordan Hyland earns him a second start, leaving All Black Matt Duffie to cover the back three spots off the bench.
The game starts a run of six games from seven at Eden Park, with head coach Tana Umaga wanting the team to take full toll of the home advantage.
“We have been mostly on the road, with a tough two-game trip to South Africa and now a trip to Japan with a short turn around,” said Umaga.
“But we are home at Eden Park in front of our fans and our families for the next few games. We want to make this our fortress in the coming weeks, starting on Friday.
“All of the clubs have injuries and we are no different, but it gives opportunities for other players to stand up and bring some real enthusiasm to our team.
“We have improved over the last two weeks and once again we have to step up again to another level in every facet of our game. Our record against other New Zealand teams is well documented, so we want to make to make our homecoming a special one.”
There is a special curtainraiser, with the Blues A team taking on the visiting Japan A team that has several of their international squad playing. This begins at 5:05pm.
There will also be a special tribute to the ANZAC pre-match. Both teams will walk on to the field, along with New Zealand Defence Force personnel for the tribute.
Blues: 1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. James Parsons ©, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi/Mike Tamoaieta, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Jimmy Tupou, 6. Dalton Papalii, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Akira Ioane; 9. Jonathan Ruru, 10. Bryn Gatland, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. TJ Faiane, 13. Orbyn Leger, 14. Jordan Hyland,15. Stephen Perofeta.
Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds/Leni Apisai, 17. Ross Wright, 18. Mike Tamoaieta/Sione Mafileo, 19. Ben Neenee, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Tumua Manu, 23. Matt Duffie.
Catch up with all the action on Friday night with our live updates from 7.30pm.
Newshub.