Hurricanes coach Clark Laidlaw said the team was excited about the chance to test themselves at Eden Park, a ground they haven't won at since 2019.
"We like testing ourselves. We failed against the Brumbies a couple of weeks ago so I'll be interested to see if we've learned some lessons around that."
The Brumbies game showed the Hurricanes that a good team will beat them if they don't turn up physically.
"It's as simple as that, and the Blues are a big team. They're a very direct side. It causes problems and condenses your defence, and we all know about the x-factor.
"They're going to try and create space with their big boys, and most of the year, they've been good enough to do that. Let's see if we can stop it.
"If we win, then awesome. If we don't what did we learn and move on to Moana Pasifika the week after."
They have decided to give hooker James O'Reilly another week to recover from his concussion and have retained replacement hookers Kianu Kereru-Symes and Raymond Tuputupu.
"Kianu was outstanding around the field [against the Waratahs]. He made a couple of really nice tackles, good turnover and a couple of good link and plays. So, they're ready. They've had a couple of good weeks so we're excited to to see them improve and play well."
Having chosen a 6:2 split on the bench, which proved costly for the Blues in the earlier game between the two sides, Laidlaw said the last substitute to get on the field was often the last back.
"With the strength and depth of the loose forwards, that's the reason we want to bring on impact. It will be a physical battle up front. The breakdown will be important. Having guys like Du'Plessis [Kirifi] and Devan [Flanders] to come on adds to the game.
"I like having a strong team on the field at the end."
The Hurricanes coaches rewatched coverage of the last game and recalled it being a contest that could have gone either way. The 6:2 split did have an impact, especially when the Blues lost fullback Zarn Sullivan's kicking game.
"He's back this week [for them]. He's a good player and adds balance to the kicking game. We expect that to help them and improve that area of the game.
"Up front, it was even around the set piece. They were probably on top for that first 20 minutes and dropped the ball a couple of times in our 22m, which could have made the game different.
"It was one versus two, it was tight. We expect the same again this week."
One head-to-head contest awaited from the game is that between No8s Brayden Iose for the Hurricanes and Hoskins Sotutu for the Blues.
Laidlaw said Sotutu had a strong performance last week, and he expected the same again.
"He's really strong and is probably fulfilling all that attention he's had for a couple of years. He's fit and healthy, having big minutes and having a big impact in games.
"We expect Brayden to match up and with the help of his mates inside the scrum it'll be a good battle."