Flavell impresses Blues coach

Troy Flavell

Utility Troy Flavell is likely to resume his Blues career as a lock but his Super 14 start may be delayed because of his overseas obligations.

Coach David Nucifora said Super 14 selections would not be ratified until next week but "it is pretty obvious Troy is a quality player and you want quality players in your teams".

The coach had watched Flavell play for his Toyota club during a visit to Japan this season and been impressed by the former All Black's skills and fitness.

He would need to adjust to a much stronger level of rugby in the Super 14 but was in very good shape and had the talent to cope.

A precedent for the selection of overseas-based New Zealanders was set with the return to the Crusaders of both Norm Maxwell and then Leon MacDonald.

As long as players signed for a province by last week's deadline they were eligible for the expanded Super 14 series.

Flavell could miss the opening few matches of the new competition if his Japanese club prospers in their post-Christmas matches.

The 28-year-old Flavell left New Zealand after a lengthy ban for stomping in the 2003 Super 12 series cost him a chance of selection for the domestic test programme, Tri-series and World Cup in Australia.

Nucifora saw Flavell as a lock who could also play loose forward and said he would probably use him initially in the Blues tight five.

The Blues loose forward selection choice is crowded though the ability of several like Flavell, Angus Macdonald and Bradley Mika to play lock will help the congestion.

If Auckland captain Justin Collins gets a repeat medical exemption to stay in Auckland to monitor his heart condition, Nucifora could be allowed to protect 25 players in his 28-strong squad.

"We are in the midst of going through those welfare issues so we have to wait and see," Nucifora said.

"You have only got to sit down and write down all the names of the guys who play in the back row up here and it is a real traffic jam."

Another candidate for loose forward popped up this week with the revelation former All Black Andrew Blowers had signed for Auckland.

Nucifora said he came with an impressive background but he had not seen much of his play.

There were still many issues to work through and the Blues would lose quality players in the draft to other franchises.

Injured halfback David Gibson had been cleared after surgery on his shoulder and neck and was expected to be fully fit by the New Year.

"We are getting pretty close to the final makeup. After you have watched this much football you should have a fair idea.

"We are pretty close on what we think we want," Nucifora said.

"Obviously we have issues. Part of the challenge is protecting the right players and trying to work out what other sides want and try and limit the damage on what we are going to lose."

Nucifora will be at Saturday's final against Otago at Eden Park to run his eye over Auckland's resources.

Auckland and Otago are expected to name their teams today.