The All Blacks hooker James Parsons becomes the third captain for the Blues this season after being named to lead the side in Saturday night's Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes at Eden Park.
Parsons takes over the captaincy after injuries to previous skippers Jerome Kaino and Steven Luatua.
There is a new front row with prop Sam Prattley making his first start of the season, along with Ofa Tu'ungafasi, who will play his 27th game for the Blues.
New Zealand Under-20 representatives Blake Gibson and Akira Ioane start in the loose forwards, before the pair join up with the national team that heads to Italy next week for the Under-20 World Cup.
Ihaia West plays his 20th game for the Blues, and will receive his blazer as recognition. He needs four points for 100 points for the season, currently on 96 from 11 games.
The Blues injury list is at 13, with four of those ruled out for the rest of the season.
Joining captain Kaino and Luke Braid on the long term injured list are All Blacks Luatua and Patrick Tuipulotu.
Luatua, the stand-in captain for Kaino, dislocated his shoulder in the win over the South African side the Bulls last week and won't return for the Blues final three games.
Tuipulotu has a long term hip injury that has worsened and he, too, is unlikely to make it back in the next four weeks.
Also unavailable this week's match against the Hurricanes in Auckland is All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock with a shoulder injury and Charlie Faumuina, who is on All Blacks leave.
Others not considered for this week's match include Pita Ahki (hamstring), Dan Bowden (groin) and Bryn Hall (foot).
The Blues are 13th on the table.
Blues:
1 Sam Prattley
2 James Parsons (captain)
3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi
4 Culum Retallick
5 Josh Bekhuis
6 Brendon O'Connor
7 Blake Gibson
8 Akira Ioane
9 Jamison Gibson-Park
10 Ihaia West
11 Melani Nanai
12 George Moala
13 Francis Saili
14 Ben Lam
15 Lolagi Visinia
Reserves:
16 Keven Mealamu
17 Angus Ta'avao
18 Nick Mayhew
19 Will Lloyd/Hayden Triggs
20 Joe Edwards
21 Jimmy Cowan
22 Simon Hickey
23 Matt Vaega