The Blues are refusing to take the Highlanders lightly despite heading into the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final tomorrow as favourites.
Coach Leon McDonald says the Highlanders have been outstanding throughout the season, they have an excellent set-piece, are very accurate and they have some dangerous attacking players.
The Blues will be without prop Ofa Tu'ungafasi who will be undergoing surgery to deal with a knee injury.
Flanker Tom Robinson is also out and will be replaced by Akira Ioane.
Meanwhile, the visitors have been boosted after Jona Nareki and Pari Pari Parkinson have been named to start despite injury concerns.
The pair left the field early during their 33-12 win over the Brumbies with shoulder complaints.
Highlanders co-captain Ash Dixon will be playing his 100th game for the club tomorrow and has also been given the role to captain the Maori All Blacks side, which is set to face Manu Samoa in a two-test series.
The Blues have hosted the Highlanders 19 times, won 14 games and lost 5.
They will also be aiming to claim its first Super Rugby title since 2003 while the Highlanders last won the title in 2015.
The Blues will take on the Highlanders in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final at 7.05pm tomorrow.
[Soiurce: Rugby.com.au]
