Cats sharpening their claws for attack

Anyone analysing the Cats' history in the Super 12 deserves an honorary doctorate.

On paper - just as they do again this season - they have suggested a strong squad.

Results have proved otherwise, especially offshore. But the Blues will have to be as committed as they were against the Brumbies if they are to back up with another victory tonight at Albany.

For the first time this season the Blues brought some real energy to their play when they sacked a lethargic Brumbies. That vigour overcame some uncertainty about the Blues' combinations, which had been rejigged through suspension, injury and bold choices.

There was a cohesion which had been missing, a sense of purpose, they played with some attitude.

While the Cats have powerful individual reputations, they have looked a messy alliance and have misfired atrociously away from home. Tonight's game is the start of a four-game stretch in Australasia with the Cats almost out of playoff contention.

Will they have a real crack at this game or will they be a mirror image of their predecessors?

The Highlanders were one side to sneak past the Cats this year but coach Greg Cooper said they had the potential to be the best side in the republic.

"They have good players throughout, they have contemporary coaches, they have got much better in the contact area and if they got a sniff in a game they could be very tough," he warned.

Andre Pretorius was a classy first five-eighths who could run a game or turn one and the Blues would need to be on form to survive.

Blues captain Xavier Rush said: "We have to repeat the work we did last game. We have to be sure of our calls, plays and patterns. We all have to build on what we did against the Brumbies."

Down on lineout power for at least half that game, the Blues improvised with a number of alternate jumpers and played quickly so their opponents could not get set to compete.

Those tactics, and lifting the tempo again tonight, should be part of the strategy to outwit the Cats.

This is the stretch of the competition, when the Blues play the four South African sides in succession, where the resilience of a young Blues pack will undergo an endurance test.

Young tighthead John Afoa must set the tone again in the scrums, this time against the vastly experienced Os du Randt. There will be similar requirements of Tony Woodcock against CJ van der Linde, while young hooker Schalk Brits is reputed to be as much a livewire as Keven Mealamu.

All sorts of issues will confront Chresten Davis but, if he can put himself about, make his tackles and stay close to the ball until substituted, he will have justified his introduction.

Get the ball carriers such as Bradley Mika into the game and Steve Devine will be able to dictate the rhythm of the match; he should be able to guide Tasesa Lavea through the early stages.

The back four would have gained precious confidence last week, and will like their chances against a defence which has conceded too many tries already this series.

North Harbour Stadium, Albany, tonight 7.35

BLUES
Isa Nacewa
Doug Howlett
Mils Muliaina
L. McAllister/R. Tipoki
Joe Rokocoko
Tasesa Lavea
Steve Devine
Xavier Rush
Daniel Braid
Jerome Kaino
Bradley Mika
N. Williams/C. Davis
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu
Tony Woodcock

Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Saimone Taumoepeau, Davis/Williams, Justin Collins, Ben Meyer, Carlos Spencer, Ben Atiga

CATS
Conrad Jantjes
Eddie Fredericks

Jaque Fourie
Wayne Julies
Chumani Booi
Andre Pretorius
Michael Claassens
Juan Smith
Wikus van Heerden (c)
Hendro Scholtz
Gordon Gilfillan
Boela du Plooy
CJ van der Linde
Schalk Brits
Os du Randt

Reserves: Naka Drotske, Marius Hurter, Barend Pieterse, Cobus Grobbelaar, Nicholas Eyre, Tiaan Snyman, Dewey Swartbooi