Injury will force Blues captain Keven Mealamu to watch on when his team begin their Super 14 rugby match against the Cheetahs at Bloemfontein on Sunday morning.

The All Blacks hooker has been bracketed with Tevita Mailau on the reserves bench after suffering a strained calf during the loss to the Sharks last weekend.

Tom McCartney takes his place for his first start this season while blindside flanker Jerome Kaino will assume the captaincy of a Blues team without backs Luke McAlister and Rudi Wulf, who have returned home to be with their expecting partners.

This has seen utility Isaia Toeava moved to centre, Paul Williams starts at fullback and Rene Ranger shifts to the wing after missing out on the starting 15 for the past two weeks.

Outside back Anthony Tuitavake has been named on the reserves bench for the first time this season after overcoming injury while lock Anthony Boric also joins the reserves after joining the squad this week after overcoming an ankle injury sustained during the Bulls match last month.

Blues: Paul Williams, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Viliami Ma'afu, Tom Chamberlain, Jerome Kaino (capt), Filo Paulo, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Tom McCartney, Tony Woodcock. Res: Tevita Mailau/ Keven Mealamu, Charlie Faumuina, Anthony Boric, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Anthony Tuitavake.

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