Blues camp faces more disruption from injuries

By WYNNE GRAY

Changes in the Blues were supposed to be restricted to two for the start of their run home in the Super 12 tonight against the Stormers.

Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock was back after a rest and Mark Mayerhofler returned to the midfield instead of Lee Stensness to counter the aggressive international duo of Marius Joubert and De Wet Barry.

But ideas about minimal changes were disrupted yesterday.

Midway through the last shakedown session, flanker Justin Collins aggravated a groin strain and had to be replaced by Matua Parkinson.

That came on top of a pre-training report that Fijian flyer Rupeni Caucaunibuca was still favouring his leg after he cracked a bone in the opening match against the Hurricanes.

It was not the cleanest end to preparations for the game at Eden Park, a match where the Stormers are unchanged and see victory as a boost for a rollicking outsiders' run to the playoffs.

The loser will view such an outcome as a serious semifinal stumble.

After using the steady James Arlidge as five-eighths through the middle games of the series, the Blues have reverted to the greater experience and talent of Carlos Spencer.

He remains the gauge for the Blues' performance. He has the creative skill to overturn match trends, to win games where others are incapable.

"His class, organisation and voice are very important to us," backline coach Grant Fox said.

But the Blues cannot dump that duty on the mercurial Spencer.

A pack which has worked honestly without putting sides away, will need to find a new gear against the Stormers' power.

They have a solid scrum - but one the Blues should match, starting with the cornerstone propping of Kees Meeuws - plenty of lineout variety and forwards who love to keep the ball alive.

They also have Corne Krige, a strong leader and powerful at the breakdown where the Blues have to create more damage.

Run through the Stormers backline starting from the composed new halfback Johannes Conraddie to fullback Percy Montgomery and it is easy to see they can hurt the Blues across the park.

The only questions would be at first five-eighths.

Werner Greef is steady, but like every South African five-eighths on view in this Super 12, does not compare with those in New Zealand and Australia.

Defence will be a crucial component.

The Stormers have leaked more points than the Blues, and the match could be so close that the result could hinge on the kicking percentages of Spencer and Montgomery.

* Springbok loose forward Johann van Niekerk has made a full recovery from a serious foot injury and will make his Super 12 debut for the Cats against the Crusaders at Ellis Park tomorrow.

Van Niekerk tore ligaments in his left foot in the test against the United States in December.

The Crusaders will be looking for their ninth successive victory.

The Cats have had only one win in their eight matches - 44-31 against the bottom-placed Bulls in the opening game of the season.