Preview: Blues v Rebels

Unbeaten since the second round, the Blues have been one of the most consistently impressive outfits in Super Rugby 2011.

Unbeaten since the second round of the competition, the Blues have been one of the most consistently impressive outfits in this year's Super Rugby tournament.
Their opponents on Friday have a very different – yet in its own way equally impressive record – with the Rebels notching up three wins in their debut season.
However, they're unlikely to add to that tally against Pat Lam's Blues outfit.
Boosted by the return of two powerhouses in the tight five, prop Tony Woodcock and lock Ali Williams, the Blues are a potent force both in the tight and the loose.
Lam has made one additional change, and it's an interesting one too; resting the impressive Luke McAlister and bringing Benson Stanley in at number twelve, with the move highlighting the depth in the Blues ranks, with one All Black replacing another.
The performance of fly-half Stephen Brett burdened with the extra responsibility of place kicking and general playmaking will give Graham Henry and co some idea as to whether the 25-year-old is up to filling the role of Dan Carter's backup.
The Rebels too are boosted by the return of two seasoned campaigners, with skipper Stirling Mortlock and full-back Julian Huxley back in action.
Mortlock in particular will boost the team immensely, with his presence alone enough to give the visitors and extra spring in their step.
Rebels coach Rod Macqueen emphasised this point and admitted that a trip to face the Blues was going to be a stiff test.
“There's no doubt we missed Stirling last week, but this week it's all looking good,” said Macqueen.
“We've got Julian Huxley back which we're obviously pleased about, and we seem to be pretty injury free for the most part. In fact, we're going into the game about as well prepared as we've ever been.
“We certainly respect Auckland a lot, so we're going to have to play really well to be competitive against them.
“It's a hard ask this week, but it's a good test. That's what this competition is all about. We're going to concentrate on ourselves, try and get our game together again. Hopefully we can pull off a few surprises,” he added.
Prediction: The Rebels have shown they cannot be underestimated but against an in form Blues team playing at home, the men from Auckland will take this one by fifteen.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Chris Lowrey, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Lachie Munro.

Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mark Gerrard, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Hoani Macdonald, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Luke Rooney.

Date:Friday, April 20
Venue: North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Kick-off: 19:35 (9:35 GMT)
Referee: Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)