Michael Hobbs has edged out All Black star Piri Weepu and young gun Gareth Anscombe to start at first five-eighths for the Blues in their season opener against the Crusaders at Eden Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm).

This week we look back to 2003 and highlights of the mercurial Carlos Spencer

Today we take you back just 12 months to the 2011 season opener against the Crusaders at Eden Park.

This week we turn our attention to the 1996 semi-final against Northern Transvaal. In front of a bumper home crowd, the Blues smashed their South African opponents 48-11.

The Blues rounded out their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 29-12 victory over the Highlanders at Unitec on Friday afternoon.

Keven Mealamu will make his first appearance of the year for the Blues when they take on the Highlanders in their final pre-season match at Unitec on Friday afternoon (kick-off 2.00pm)

Piri Weepu will get his first opportunity to don the Blues jersey and marshal the backline from first five-eighths on Saturday when the Blues take on the Rebels in Melbourne.

In this week’s Windback Wednesday we look back on a match that Sir Graham Henry often talks about as being one of the most pivotal, not only in Blues history but also his own.

After sitting out a two match suspension Blues loose forward Jerome Kaino is fizzing to get back onto the field and make amends for his enforced layoff.

Despite his wish to play first five-eighth for the Hurricanes, new All Black Luke McAlister has been earmarked for a leading midfield role with the Blues.

The following players have been selected in the Blues team for the 2005 Rebel Sport Super 12.