Derby just a trial for Blues rookies

The departing Francis Saili is being ignored in favour of less experienced players. Photo / Getty Images

The unsettling Blues season has taken on a disconcerting hue.

Coach Sir John Kirwan is using tomorrow's match against the Crusaders at Eden Park as a trial for next year's Super Rugby series and a chance to see whether some young and inexperienced guys in the region front up.

So he has ignored former All Blacks Frank Halai and Francis Saili who are shooting through and promoted a group of developing players for the derby match with the Crusaders.

"It's hard on those guys who are leaving but we have to make some solid decisions for the future," Kirwan said.

Your call, JK, but you don't follow through with that logic - especially as openside flanker Brendon O'Connor is also leaving but has been picked.

At this stage, lock Hayden Triggs' contract has not been renewed but he's in the reserves and there are murmurs about an exit for reserve five-eighths Simon Hickey.

There must also be some doubt about Keven Mealamu's involvement past this season but he is on the bench.

Then Kirwan talks about picking fullback Charles Piutau for next week's final match with the Highlanders even though he is not available for the 2016 campaign.

Rest and rotation brought enough turmoil in the run-up to the 2007 World Cup and this decision should create a similar commotion.

And what about those loyal Blues fans who bought season-tickets expecting the team to deliver something this season and are now being asked to watch 2016 triallists up against a mob laden with test players?

Kirwan says he's made the changes with an eye to the Blues future.

Who says he is part of that or has he been given some inside word so he can tinker without fear of any 2016 backlash about his selections?