Ma'a Nonu will launch his New Zealand rugby comeback in the less familiar midfield position of centre for the Blues in Saturday night's season opener against the Crusaders at Eden Park.
New head coach Leon MacDonald has paired Nonu outside Auckland provincial skipper TJ Faiane in his midfield for the Super Rugby kickoff, leaving All Black Sonny Bill Williams to make his first impact off the bench after being unavailable for the pre-season under national player restrictions.
Nonu, who turns 37 in May, is making a return to New Zealand rugby after departing at the end of the 2015 season to take up a contract with Toulon in France. The 103-test dual World Cup winner has said he is motivated to contend for an All Blacks jersey in 2019, and appears in prime shape to give it a crack.
It's interesting that Nonu, who played most of his top-level rugby in New Zealand at No 12, gets his first shot at centre. If he and Williams are to eventually start together, it's likely he will be best suited to the outside role.
MacDonald has named a strong starting lineup featuring current All Blacks Rieko Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu and Dalton Papalii, with props Ofa Tu'ungafasi and new signing Karl Tu'inukuafe joining Williams on the bench.
Tuipulotu will lead the side from the second row, where he will pair with Northland workhorse Josh Goodue, while internationals Tu'ungafasi and Tu'inukuafe will get their first action of the year off the bench after being forced to sit out the pre-season under All Blacks protocols.
Akira Ioane will run out at No 8 for his 50th appearance for the franchise (49 in Super Rugby and the famous victory over the British and Irish Lions).
Alex Hodgman and Sione Mafileo will bookend the experienced James Parsons in the starting front row, though there will be plenty of interest in the impact the power combination of Tu'ungafasi and Tu'inukuafe can make off the bench.
Joining Gibson on the unavailable list are Stephen Perofeta (pectoral), Leni Apisai (neck), Jed Brown (calf), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (knee), Sam Nock (calf), Jacob Pierce (ankle), Jimmy Tupou (knee), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Matt Duffie (hamstring) and Scott Scrafton (knee).
BLUES: Michael Collins, Melani Nanai, Ma'a Nonu, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Matich,, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Sonny Bill Williams.