The Blues are looking to bounce back to their competitive best after an illness-hit week off, to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday.

The Blues will face a massive double-header week against Moana Pasifika later this month.

The initial opening round match in the DHL Super Rugby Pacific was postponed when covid hit the Moana Pasifika side.

It has now been rescheduled for Tuesday 29 March at Mt Smart Stadium at 7.05pm kickoff.

All Black centurion Beauden Barrett has his first start of the season for the Blues when they host the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night in DHL Super Rugby Pacific.

After coming off the bench in the 24-22 win over the Chiefs last weekend, Barrett gets to start at No 10 with another highly experienced campaigner in Bryce Heem outside him. The duo come in for the injured inside back pairing of Harry Plummer and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, with both sidelined for several weeks with shoulder injuries.

The continued covid restrictions have forced the Blues to cancel plans to take a DHL Super Rugby Pacific match to Whangarei.

The Blues have rescheduled the game to North Harbour Stadium and are operating under the red light restrictions of no crowds.