Rugby: Huge test for Blues' world champ

Last year's national under-20s lock Steven Luatua has been promoted to start at blindside flanker for the Blues in their match against the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow. Photo / Greg Bowker

The Blues have followed the example of the All Blacks this week and promoted one of the nation's junior World Cup champions.

Steven Luatua locked the national under-20s scrum last year with Brodie Retallick as the side swept to victory in the global tournament in Italy.

Retallick and five others in that side - captain Luke Whitelock, Ben Tameifuna, Brad Shields, Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett - were named in the All Black wider training group this week and Blues' coach Pat Lam has adopted a similar tactic.

With his options dwindling and others struggling to find form, Lam has promoted Luatua to start at blindside flanker tomorrow against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The 21-year-old came off the bench for a 15-minute spell in last week's win against the Lions and will start against a Crusaders loose trio of captain Richie McCaw at No 8, former All Black George Whitelock on the blindside and near test player Matt Todd on the openside.

"When they named the team I was in awe and just thought 'what have I gotten myself into'?" Luatua said.

"I was thinking about it last night and I'm really excited about the challenge.

"Playing the Crusaders in Christchurch, what better stage to make your starting debut on so I just want to go out there and do the jersey proud."

Luatua came into the Blues after injury claimed Jerome Kaino for the season, then Brad Mika (knee) and Chris Lowrey (concussion) were ruled out.

Luatua played lock for the national age-group side and Auckland in the ITM Cup but at 1.96m and 109kg is probably more suited to a role in the loose forwards.

He might have expected to joust with his age-group skipper Luke Whitelock with an injured Kieran Read missing from the Crusaders side. But Whitelock is also damaged so McCaw swaps roles in a Crusaders side which will be smarting after losing last round to the Rebels in an effort lambasted by coach Todd Blackadder.

The Blues have lost tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina for six weeks with a calf injury and Tevita Mailau takes over that role, while Luatua comes into a loose forward mix which has rotated places with Luke Braid going to No 8 and brother Daniel to openside.

"Steven showed a lot of composure in a short amount of time when he came on last week and demonstrated his ability so it's a great opportunity for a young guy to get out there and make the most of it," Pat Lam said.

Nine players remain in the casualty ward - Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Brad Mika, Kaino, Lowrey, Anthony Boric, Faumuina and captain Keven Mealamu.

But All Blacks Ma'a Nonu and Tony Woodcock will face the Crusaders after missing the round one clash at Eden Park.

The Crusaders have made multiple alterations and positional switches after the stumble against the Rebels and have returned All Blacks Israel Dagg and Andy Ellis to their backline. at halfback.

Significantly Daniel Carter is at first five-eighths after spending most games in midfield since his return from groin surgery.

This week Carter is expected to undertake the goalkicking as he shifts in to work where he has been most effective in his illustrious career.