Blues on the board, now for the big one

Road to redemption, a temporary salvation or a false dawn?

Those uncertainties about the Blues could be applied to blindside flanker Troy Flavell after they were reunited in the side's first shaky win in the Super 14.

The match against the Reds in Brisbane was a litmus test for both.

A victory was imperative for a sackful of reasons and Flavell needed to make a decent impact in his reintroduction after several years in Japan.

In a grim encounter, the Blues held on for a 21-20 win to avoid the franchise's worst start to the Super series since 1999 while Flavell, after a slow start, became more prominent.

It was a win the Blues craved after losses to the Hurricanes and Highlanders, one they needed to retain their confidence, ease the scrutiny on coach David Nucifora and set them for the next challenge, against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

As they contemplated that hurdle yesterday, the Blues announced that 21-year-old national sevens loose forward Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a would replace the injured Justin Collins in the squad.

Flavell filled the blindside vacancy against the Reds left by the injuries to Collins and Angus Macdonald, played steadily and kept his composure after a week of escalating media curiosity about his disciplinary record.

"The Reds gave me a bit of niggle here and there," Flavell said yesterday. "Obviously I am going to be under the eagle eye so I have to be careful."

On his return to Auckland, Flavell said he had a fairly clean disciplinary file in Japan, but the Sunday News claimed he had misled the public about a poor record which included six yellow cards, one red and a citing.

Former Blues trainer Andrew Turner, who works in rugby in Japan, contacted the Herald to defend Flavell's version of his discipline.

"Japanese referees are very inconsistent and are very harsh on foreign players," Turner said.

"An action that would be described as physical in New Zealand is often cited as dangerous in Japan and in turn leads to many foreign players receiving yellow cards."

Flavell should retain his place for the game against the frontrunning Crusaders, a side who will offer a much sterner examination of the flanker and the Blues.

But there will be some loose forward selection headaches for the Blues with Macdonald recovered from his hamstring strain and Nick Williams coming off a very physical performance at No 8 against the Reds.

The Crusaders have one injury worry with midfield back Aaron Mauger struggling with a hamstring problem and likely to be replaced by Cameron McIntyre.

The last time the Blues travelled to Christchurch, in 2004, they messed with the Crusaders 38-29.

But the Blues did have Rupeni Caucaunibuca, Mils Muliaina and Carlos Spencer as some of their firepower.

Spencer's first five-eighths replacement Tasesa Lavea is still searching for stronger control, and halfback Steve Devine also needs to create greater authority if the Blues are to unsettle the Crusaders.

There have been signs the Blues pack is finding some rhythm but the same cannot be said for the backline.

They were relieved to take the win against the Reds but a similar spotty performance will not get them home against the Crusaders.