The Blues' plans to squeeze the Lions up front have taken a hit with All Black frontrowers Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock still parked in the casualty room.
The test duo have been joined there by concussed flanker Chris Lowrey and wings Rene Ranger and George Moala who were injuredin the side's last match with the Hurricanes.
Only Piri Weepu at halfback and Hadleigh Parkes at fullback remain in the same role they had last week in Wellington.
There are similar backline shuffles for the Lions because centre Alwyn Hollenbach injured his knee and had to be sent home.
Coach Pat Lam has made a solitary change in his pack with Daniel Braid returning for the injured Lowrey while John Mitchell has named an unchanged pack as the bottom-placed sides duel tomorrow at Eden Park.
Lam's backline selection choices were restricted because of injury and with Sherwin Stowers elevated to the reserves, every available member of the squad has been picked for tomorrow's match.
Ma'a Nonu shifts out a place to centre and that pushes Benson Stanley to the wing once more while Michael Hobbs moves into midfield.
So the Weepu-Gareth Anscombe axis at halfback and five-eighths is restored for the fourth time in this year's series as these teams square up for the Battle of the Basement.
Hadleigh Parkes David Raikuna Ma'a Nonu Michael Hobbs Benson Stanley Gareth Anscombe Piri Weepu Peter Saili Daniel Braid Ali Williams Liaki Moli Luke Braid (c) Charlie Faumuina Tom McCartney Tevita Mailau
Blues: James Parsons, Angus Ta'avao, Filo Paulo, Steve Luatua, Alby Mathewson, Lachie Munro, Sherwin Stowers.
LIONS
Andries Coetzee D. van Rensburg Lionel Mapoe Jaco Taute Michael Killian Elton Jantjies Ross Cronje Joshua Strauss (c) Grant Hattingh Derick Minnie Ruan Botha F. van der Merwe Patric Cilliers Callie Visagie JC van Rensburg
Lions: Martin Bezuidenhout, CJ van der Linde, Cobus Grobbelaar, Jaco Kriel, Tian Meyer, Ruan Combrinck, James Kamana.
