Fiji’s star winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca and his All Blacks counterpart, Joe Rokocoko, have been named on the wings, while New Zealand’s World Cup fullback Mils Muliaina will slot in at No.15. Flying All Black winger Doug Howlett will start the game on the bench.

Sloane has named a further four All Blacks in the starting XV, with enigmatic first five-eighth Carlos Spencer, captain and No.8 Xavier Rush, scrum-half Steve Devine and lock Ali Williams all named in the run-on side.

The bench is also littered with internationals - a further example of the depth Sloane has at his disposal - with All Blacks Daniel Braid (flank), Kees Meeuws (prop), Keven Mealamu (hooker) and Greg Feek (prop) all joining Howlett on the bench.

Reds coach Jeff Miller, who named an equally impressive side for the game, was looking forward to the challenge of facing up to the Blues’ star-studded line-up.

"They’re playing all their big names, but don’t forget we have a few of our own in [Chris] Latham, [Wendell] Sailor, [Elton] Flatley and [Julian] Huxley," said Miller.

"It promises to be a great night of rugby and I’m sure we are going to get a really big crowd."

Blues: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Rico Gear, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Rupeni Caucaunibuca, 10 Carlos Spencer, 9 Steve Devine, 8 Xavier Rush (captain), 7 Justin Collins, 6 Brent Thompson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Witcombe, 1 Tony Woodcock.Replacements (from): Orene Ai’i, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Tasesa Lavea, David Gibson, Angus Macdonald, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Bryce Williams, Bradley Mika, Kees Meeuws, Greg Feek, Nathan Kemp, Keven Mealamu.

Kick-off: 19.30 (06.30 GMT)

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