A host of star power will turn out for the Blues this Friday in the team’s final DHL Super Rugby Pacific pre-season hit out against the Chiefs at Takapuna Rugby Football Club, kicking off at 4pm.

The match at Onewa Domain will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1 and streamed on NZR+, giving fans an early season form guide ahead of Round One of DHL Super Rugby Pacific next weekend.

Most of the Blues squad are set for game time in the final pre-season tune up, with Blues Head Coach Vern Cotter wanting to build on two impressive performances in Japan.

“We were pleased with the team’s efforts in Tokyo,” said Cotter.

“The boys are starting to piece things together on the park and it’ll be good to give some minutes to those players who haven’t featured yet ahead of our Round One match against the Drua in Whangārei,” he said.

Fans can expect an array of different combinations to be tried tomorrow with Rieko Ioane, Finlay Christie, Mark Telea, Dalton Papali’i, Bryce Heem, Harry Plummer and AJ Lam all having their first run of the pre-season.

Cotter said after a quick turnaround the team are looking to put the final touches on their preparations for the Super Rugby Pacific season.

“The Chiefs are a perfect match up this Friday - they were finalists last year and always bring a strong physical element every time they take the park.”

“We play the Fijian Drua in Round One, so I want to see a strong performance around our basics against the Chiefs to prepare us for our opening match in Whangārei.”

Match details:

Blues v Chiefs

Friday February 16, Takapuna Rugby Football Club, Onewa Domain

Gates open: 3:00pm, kick off: 4:00pm

Tickets on sale at the gate: Adults $10, kids under 14 FREE

LIVE on Sky Sport 1 & NZR+

First Half:

1. Jordan Lay

2. Ricky Riccitelli

3. PJ Sheck

4. James Thompson

5. Ed Annandale

6. Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo

7. Adrian Choat

8. Cameron Suafoa

9. Taufa Funaki

10. Harry Plummer (c)

11. Kade Banks

12. Corey Evans

13. Bryce Heem

14. AJ Lam

15. Cole Forbes

Second Half:

1. Joshua Fusitu’a

2. Kurt Eklund

3. Angus Ta’avao

4. Laghlan McWhannell

5. Josh Beehre

6. Anton Segner

7. Dalton Papali’i (c)

8. Hoskins Sotutu

9. Sam Nock

10. Stephen Perofeta

11. Caleb Clarke

12. Harry Plummer

13. Rieko Ioane

14. Mark Tele’a

15. Zarn Sullivan

Reserves: Soane Vikena, Marcel Renata, Ben Ake, Finlay Christie, Lucas Cashmore, Meihana Grindlay, Alex Harford, Caleb Tangitau

Not available for selection: Akira Ioane (calf), Rob Rush (calf) Sam Darry (neck), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (knee), Patrick Tuipulotu (jaw)