Blues v Rebels: Teams

Ali Williams: Returns from injury

Inside centre Luke McAlister will start on the Blues' bench for Friday's Super Rugby meeting with the Melbourne Rebels in Auckland.

The in-form McAlister has been replaced in the starting line-up by former All Black Benson Stanley.

Blues coach Pat Lam said while McAlister had been in fine form this season, with a six-day turnaround it was a prime opportunity to give Stanley an opportunity for more game-time.

"The change gives Luke a bit of a breather, he's on fire and he's going really well for us this season," he said.

"When you're making those decisions, you've got an All Black in Benson Stanley who lost his place through injury really but has still been a big contributor in our team.

"To bring fresh legs like Benson in there is great and then Luke will get a chance to play at either 10 or 12 at some stage."

Williams returns

In two other changes to the starting line-up lock Ali Williams returns to the pack having not featured since he injured a hamstring in the 22-22 draw with the Force on March 13.

He takes the place of Kurtis Haiu, who suffered a head injury in the win over the Waratahs last Saturday.

"I think Ali timed his return to perfection," Lam said of Williams.

"Kurtis had been performing very well along with Anthony Boric so his injury has opened up a place for Ali to come back into the team and have an opportunity to perform which is what he and the team are looking for.

"He's been at training with a lot of excitement and even when he was injured he was contributing a lot behind the scenes and now he can't wait to get back out there."

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock, who missed the 31-17 win at Eden Park, also returns and takes the place of try-scorer Tevita Mailau after recovering from a calf injury.

Mailau moves to the bench, with Pauliasi Manu dropping out of the matchday 22, while Toby Morland replaces Chris Smylie in the reserves.

Rebels were given a major boost with the return of skipper Stirling Mortlock after he was forced to pull out of the 40-18 defeat to the Highlanders because of a hip injury.

However, the veteran centre has been named by coach Rod McQueen at 12 to face the Blues at North Harbour Stadium - relegating Jimmy Hilgendorf to the bench.

Julian Huxley also returns at full-back, with Richard Kingi named on the bench.

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Jared Payne, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rene Ranger, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Chris Lowrey, 20 Toby Morland, 21 Luke McAlister, 22 Lachie Munro.

Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mark Gerrard, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve, 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Jarrod Saffy, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Alister Campbell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Rodney Blake.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Hoani Macdonald, 19 Tim Davidson, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Luke Rooney.