Blues pack will need to slow game

Tasesa Lavea has impressed since becoming part of the Blues' starting XV. Herald file picture

Forget the Blues' casualty list. Ignore if you can, Tana Umaga's marvellous milestone of 100 matches. Eden Park tonight is all about a result.

If the Hurricanes win they are into the Super 12 playoffs for the third time, while the Blues will need to rely on other outcomes.

If the Blues win they may still need a win against the Waratahs next week for a final-four finish.

This first leg of the nation's double-headers is the sort of challenge which will also sharpen the interest of the All Black panel.

Those selectors will have settled on most of their test squad, but fringe candidates will need to confirm their form in case of injury, while the back-up group will still have some vacancies.

So as the All Black selectors mull over the return of Ali Williams and judge the merits of others such as Ma'a Nonu, Tony Woodcock, Jerome Kaino, the Blues and Hurricanes will only be after a W in the results column.

With the return of Williams and Greg Rawlinson, the Blues will fancy testing their opponents' defence against lineout drives. They will also want to use their scrum to slow the game and wear down the Hurricanes pack.

They will have absorbed the way the Highlanders were able to dictate the pace of their win against the Hurricanes by using their set-piece superiority.

If conditions are a little greasy at Eden Park, set-piece supremacy will be even more crucial.

Tasesa Lavea has been an impressive distributor since his elevation to the starting XV, but his tactics may vary more tonight with a kicking game to test and turn Nonu, Lome Fa'atau and Shannon Paku.

That will require a strong Blues chasing line, a discipline which will test their condition after the return trip from South Africa and short rest period.

When the Hurricanes eye their chances of breaking their Super 12 drought against the Blues, they will note some of their hosts' midfield dramas.

They will want to test the recovery from injury of Lavea and Ben Atiga, and the positioning of Luke McAlister.

Umaga and Nonu are tough inquisitors if the Hurricanes can get enough possession.

They will also want All Black halfback tourist Piri Weepu to be at his niggling best to hassle Craig McGrath, rated only the Blues' fourth best.

The absence of original referee Paul Honess through illness, replaced by Kelvin Deaker, may assist the Hurricanes if there is more leniency at the breakdown.

Rodney So'oialo is vicious when he attacks those pile-ups, while Jerry Collins and Ben Herring are not far behind in developing turnovers. McAlister versus Jimmy Gopperth showcases two young goalkickers who have been a boon to their sides.

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It's been a long wait for the Hurricanes, when it comes to beating the Blues. Tonight's their last chance (before the competition becomes the Super 14).

Here's how the Super 12 history between the two franchises pans out:

1996: Hurricanes 28 Blues 36
1997: Blues 45 Hurricanes 42
1998: Hurricanes 34 Blues 45
1999: Blues 23 Hurricanes 7
2000: Hurricanes 14 Blues 25
2001: Blues 36 Hurricanes 17
2002: Hurricanes 7 Blues 60
2003: Blues 29 Hurricanes 17
2004: Hurricanes 26 Blues 26