Blues face trial on field and in the boardroom

Troy Flavell could face double teams. Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Coach David Nucifora and the Blues face a double inquisition today as they stare down death row.

Scrutiny of the embattled franchise will centre on Nucifora and manager Ant Strachan at today's regular board meeting before the side is asked to make their statement against the Bulls at Eden Park.

"They have not been hauled in front of the board or anything like that," Blues chief executive Andy Dalton said. "They present to us on a regular basis, and the board meetings are scheduled for game days so Northland delegates can be there. I am sure there will be some robust discussion."

Once that dialogue is complete, attention will turn to the Blues' response to their wretched 43-9 collapse last week against the Waratahs.

Four defeats and no bonus points this season mean the Blues need to win the rest of their matches to make the play-offs.

Nucifora has made all the right noises from the Blues this week about the hurt, the selection fallout and need for redemption. He had no other avenues, nor do the players tonight.

The Bulls will bring their standard style, the grinding physical inquisition from a pack weighing more than 900kg. South African commentator John Robbie has questioned the Bulls' approach, saying they cannot rely on their pack to bully their way to the semifinals. But they would fancy those methods if the Blues' pack turn up with the form they had in Sydney.

The Bulls have an array of lineout options with any of their back five - Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw, Pedrie Wannenburg and Jacques Cronje - being reliable targets. Those choices will allow them to create more heat by double-teaming the Blues' main jumpers, Ali Williams and Troy Flavell.

Most of the attention about the Blues' inadequacies last week have focused on five-eighths Tasesa Lavea, but the tight five did little to help the backs' cause. They were inaccurate at kickoffs and lacked a physical intensity that will be mandatory against the Bulls.

The loose forward skirmishes will depend on how the duel works out between a mauling, barging style from the visitors against a Blues team that must try to move the Bulls around the field.

No change at halfback places persistent pressure on John Senio to speed up his clearance to rookie first receiver Isa Nacewa. The utility needs all the space he can get tonight to make some clear decisions.

The Bulls have forsaken their regular experienced halfback Fourie du Preez but believe his replacement, Heinie Adams, has the skills to complement first five kicking whizz Derick Hougaard.

The bash and barge approach from the forwards will be repeated in midfield, where Dries Scholtz has been picked for his direct approach. He brings a great deal of power, but his lack of finesse could tell on defence against the more nimble Blues backs.

When the Blues last appeared at Eden Park they were under strain to beat the Brumbies and regather their season. They had a little leeway then but used their desperation to deliver victory.

Tonight there is no latitude.