Many choices for Blues captain

The Blues captain won't be named until shortly before the inaugural Super 14 competition begins next month.

Last year's skipper, Xavier Rush, has gone to Cardiff and coach David Nucifora is keen to wait until the full Blues squad assembles shortly before their trip to Australia on January 20 before making his decision.

The Blues resumed training this week after a Christmas layoff. Three All Blacks from the end-of-year tour to Britain were there, props John Afoa and Saimone Taumoepeau and Angus Macdonald.

Five others - wings Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko, lock Ali Williams and front rowers Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock - will return in time for the trip to Brisbane to play the Reds on January 21, and the Waratahs at Gosford on January 28, with a camp on the Sunshine Coast in between.

The Blues round off pre-season preparations against the Force on February 2, eight days before they kick off the Super 14 against the Hurricanes at Eden Park.

"We've got a pretty solid leadership group in place, who've been steering the ship and doing a good job," Nucifora said.

"We won't be naming a captain until we've got the full team together and we can manage until then."

Nucifora had a few candidates to consider.

Among the forwards, flanker Justin Collins led Auckland to the NPC championship three months ago, and Mealamu is well respected and at the top of his game.

Loose forward/lock Macdonald, who made his All Black debut on the end-of-year trip, is a popular figure and Rua Tipoki, who was a surprise choice as North Harbour captain, led them to the NPC semifinals.

"That's a good position for us to be in," Nucifora said. "One of the things we are trying to change to a degree is for players to take on more responsibility and have more leadership roles in different areas of the team."

Halfback Steve Devine and centre Anthony Tuitavake both had off-season surgery on an ankle and shins respectively and are running. Apart from the All Black quintet, the only piece missing from Nucifora's puzzle is loose forward Troy Flavell.

He is tied to his Japanese club until it is eliminated from domestic competition.

Nucifora said a worst-case scenario might mean the blockbusting Flavell not returning until about round three towards the end of February. "We've been in constant touch with him and we know he's in good physical shape so we are pretty comfortable he'll slot in quite easily."