Brumbies star first five-eighths Stephen Larkham may return to the line-up for their clash with the Blues tomorrow. Picture / Fotopress
Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher is staggered the Blues have axed Carlos Spencer for their decisive encounter tomorrow at Eden Park.
Fisher refused to believe the change until the Blues revealed their selection late yesterday, with five new players and two positional shifts from the side who were well beaten by
the Crusaders.
It was a dramatic response from Blues coach Peter Sloane, one he had threatened after the latest defeat, and eventually delivered yesterday.
"I am surprised because Carlos is an absolute matchwinner," Fisher responded.
"Things may not have been going perfectly, but his intent has been superb, his line speed on attack and defence has been good. However, in saying that, I can't be sure if he is playing how the coaches want him to.
"But we were preparing as if we would be facing Carlos."
While the Blues dropped Spencer after 95 games in the Super 12, the Brumbies were confident they would have their playmaker Stephen Larkham for this key game.
Larkham missed the side's trip to South Africa after surgery to remove a melanoma from behind his knee. He was cleared to rejoin the side for the trip to New Zealand and optimism continued that he will be ready to play tomorrow.
"On Tuesday he was no chance, Wednesday about 50-50 and now it's 60-40," Fisher said.
"If he gets through our only session at Eden Park [today] we will name him."
That would mean Matt Giteau moving out to midfield alongside captain Stirling Mortlock.
Mortlock will face regular Blues fullback Mils Muliaina, who has been moved up to centre to try to fix the Blues' midfield malfunction.
The selectors had resisted that switch for several weeks, but were left with little choice because of Sam Tuitupou's ban, Ben Atiga's lack of match-play and the midfield malaise.
Spencer and Angus Macdonald have been dropped, with Ali Williams, David Gibson and Tuitupou suspended.
Five backline changes have Isa Nacewa at fullback, Muliaina moving to centre, Luke McAlister and Tasesa Lavea as five-eighths, and Steve Devine at halfback.
Jerome Kaino returns from his ban at blindside flanker, while Bradley Mika has his chance with Williams suspended.
Bypassing a fit Spencer is not a new experience for Sloane, but one he would have been loathe to repeat after his glowing pre-season praise of the five-eighths.
