The unsettling Blues season has taken on a disconcerting hue.
Coach John Kirwan is using tomorrow's match as a trial for next year's Super 15 series and a chance to see whether some young and inexperienced guys in the region front up.
So he's ignored Frank Halai and Francis Sailiwho are shooting through and promoted a group of developing players for the derby match with the Crusaders.
"It's hard on those guys who are leaving but we have to make some solid decisions for the future," Kirwan said.
Your call JK but you don't follow through with that logic.
Especially as openside flanker Brendon O'Connor is also leaving but has been picked. At this stage lock Hayden Triggs' contract has not been renewed but he's in the reserves while there are murmurs about an exit for reserve five eighths Simon Hickey.
There must also be some doubt about Keven Mealamu's involvement past this season but he is on the bench.
Then Kirwan talks about picking fullback Charles Piutau for next week's final match with the Highlanders even though he is not available for the 2016 campaign.
Teams in South Africa and Australia who are contending for the top six playoff berths this season should be rankled at what appears to be a boost to the Crusaders late move.
Imagine the outcry here if a similar situation occurred in South Africa.
Rest and rotation brought enough turmoil in the run-up to the 2007 World Cup and this decision should create a similar commotion.
And what about those loyal Blues fans who bought season-tickets expecting the team to deliver something this season and are now being asked to watch 2016 trialists up against a mob laden with test players.
