The injury-hit Blues have bracketed All Black prop Tony Woodcock in their starting line-up for Friday's Super 14 rugby match against the Highlanders.

Woodcock has been sidelined for five weeks by an inner ear problem that has affected his balance but had trained well this week, team officials said.

Blues assistant coach Shane Howarth rated the prop an 80 per cent chance to play.

Woodcock has been bracketed with Tevita Mailau.

On the other side of the scrum, Charlie Faumuina has been named into the starting 15, replacing prop John Afoa who suffered an ankle injury during last week's 36-12 win over the Lions.

In another injury-enforced change, Jimmy Gopperth returns at five-eighth in place of Tasesa Lavea who has a hamstring twinge.

With Chris Smylie suffering a hamstring tear also during the Lions match, the Blues have bracketed Taniela Moa with Grayson Hart at halfback, in the hope Moa will not face a sanction from the New Zealand Rugby Union over a misconduct charge due to be held later on Wednesday.

Moa was stood down from last week's team pending the hearing over a bottle throwing incident.

The rest of the backline is unchanged with Isaia Toeava and Anthony Tuitavake filling the midfield with Joe Rokocoko, Rudi Wulf and Paul Williams completing the back three.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP