Super Rugby: Northland's Sam Nock on bench for Blues

Sam Nock could face former Northland teammate Solomon Alaimalo at Eden Park tonight. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Northland halfback Sam Nock is in line to make his first Super Rugby appearance of the 2018 season.

Nock has been named on the Blues' bench for their important clash against the Chiefs at Eden Park tonight.

The Blues are coming off a 41-34 loss to the Highlanders in their opening match, raising hopes of an improved season from the perennial underperformers.

Meanwhile the injury-ravaged Chiefs look to open their account after losing 45-23 to the Crusaders in a game that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

Nock has a hard road to meaningful minutes with the Blues as captain Augustine Pulu is ahead of him in the pecking order.

However, Nock has proven he has the goods to be a starting halfback at Super Rugby level.

Nock will get the opportunity to face former Northland teammate Solomon Alaimalo. The left wing will ply his trade for Tasman in this year's Mitre 10 Cup.

The last time the Chiefs and Blues met at Eden Park a Damian McKenzie special secured a draw for the Chiefs, despite being outplayed for the majority of the contest.

The Blues will be missing All Black second five Sonny Bill Williams, who suffered a knee injury in the Highlanders match.

He is replaced by TJ Faiane.

Coach Tana Umaga said the side had produced a lot of excellent work in the opener against the Highlanders.

"For much of the game we put in some solid performances in most phases of our game, and in that regard most of the team has been retained," said Umaga.

"Some lack of discipline proved very costly and we have addressed that this week. At the same time we did a lot of very good things.

"We take confidence from that going into this game, knowing though that we will need to take a further step up if we are to get the result at home that we and our fans are pretty keen to earn."

Northlanders Matt Moulds (knee) and Kara Pryor (ankle) were not considered for selection due to injury.

Blues: Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, George Moala, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryn Gatland, Augustine Pulu (c), Akira Ioane, Murphy Taramai, Jimmy Tupou, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, James Parsons, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Michael Tamoaieta, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Jerome Kaino, Sam Nock, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Michael Collins.

Chiefs: Shaun Stevenson, Sean Wainui, Anton Lienert-Brown, Johnny Faauli, Solomon Alaimalo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber, Taleni Seu, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Michael Allardice, Brodie Retallick, Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Liam Polwart, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Angus Ta'avao, Mitchell Brown/Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Tiaan Falcon, Bailyn Sullivan/Declan O'Donnell.