Captain Dalton Papalii will earn his 50th cap for the Blues as he leads the team to take on neighbours the Chiefs in DHL Super Rugby Pacific in Hamilton on Saturday.

As a testament to his resilience, the 24-year-old will earn his 50th cap midway through just his fifth season for the Blues since his debut in 2018.

A trio of tyros have earned selection alongside proven regulars in the Blues side who return home to Eden Park to host Moana Pasifika on Saturday.

Midfielder Corey Evans along with loose forwards Cameron Suafoa and Anton Segner, with just five caps between them, have earned a start in the return clash in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition.

The depth of the Blues personnel, further affected by recent illness, will be tested when they meet Moana Pasifika in the first of two clashes, at Mt Smart Stadium on Tuesday.

With both teams facing three games in eight days as they look to make-up lost games earlier in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, the Blues have dug deep into their emerging tyros.

“It is both a challenge and an exciting opportunity,” said Blues head coach, Leon MacDonald. “The situation is simple. You can’t play your most experienced players three times in eight days. It may not by ideal but we just get on with it.

The Blues are looking to bounce back to their competitive best after an illness-hit week off, to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

The long and winding road leads to Hamilton as the nib Blues finally make their debut in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki against Matatū on Tuesday.

After a covid-decimated lead-up, the nib Blues are eager and excited to finally get on the park, and focussed on a strong first-up performance.