Axe hovering over Spencer

Carlos Spencer

Plagued by suspension and injury, the Blues are set to discard playmaker Carlos Spencer for their Super 12 meeting with the champion Brumbies.

And in a further concession about the faltering form of the Blues backline, the selectors intend shifting Mils Muliaina from fullback into centre. The drastic backline alterations, with Tasesa Lavea at first five-eighths instead of Spencer, will have to survive several training sessions before the team is announced officially tomorrow.

That delay allows the Blues to digest the outcome of Ali Williams' appeal today and to assess further a range of leg injuries afflicting halfback Steve Devine, flanker Angus Macdonald and utility back Ben Atiga.

Unless there is some misadventure at training though, Lavea will start ahead of Spencer as the Blues look to remedy a season record of two wins and two losses.

The selectors' patience with Spencer expired after another mixed performance in the heavy defeat by the Crusaders, while Muliaina's positional switch is an admission about the dysfunctional midfield.

Williams' absence and Macdonald's foot injury open up the possibilities in the pack where Jerome Kaino is likely to return after his two-match ban for a dangerous tackle.

But it is the backline which will get the greatest pruning.

The alterations were signalled by coach Peter Sloane after his side sneaked past the Reds, faltered against the Chiefs and then sagged against the Crusaders.

Pointedly, Sloane said players had not read the game well and he had to look at options within his squad.

"There are a lot of simple fundamental mistakes being made by some of the so-called quality players. At times we got rattled and we have done that too often this year," he told the Herald.

Halfback David Gibson and second five-eighths Sam Tuitupou are suspended, Devine and Atiga are recovering from injury and the form of internationals Spencer, Muliaina, Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko has been patchy.

Late in the game against the Crusaders, the Blues rearranged their backline with Lavea at first five-eighths and Muliaina at centre where he made such an impact during the side's 2003 title run.

There was some real zip created and the selectors have decided to continue with that arrangement.

Luke McAlister, who looked uncomfortable at centre, will revert to second five-eighths to cover for the suspended Tuitupou, while Devine is expected to be fit to start.

There may be several contenders for fullback, with Howlett, Isa Nacewa or perhaps Spencer asked to fill that duty against what will be a vastly experienced Brumbies backline.

The visitors expect to have captain Stirling Mortlock back at centre after a knee injury.