McAlister slots back into Blues midfield

Luke McAlister

Luke McAlister will play in the midfield against the Waratahs after the Blues decided to shun an all-provincial backline trio.

The selectors restored McAlister to the second five-eighths job he held before he cracked his jaw a month ago, which means a straight swap with his provincial skipper Rua Tipoki.

"We thought it would be less pressure for Luke to slot back into midfield rather than calling the shots and doing the goalkicking. We think he will be more comfortable," coach David Nucifora said.

"It was a tough call because the backline started to get some momentum against the Brumbies and we were a lot happier with Tasesa [Lavea] and Rua there."

McAlister's resumption is one of two starting changes for tomorrow's match in Sydney with Angus Macdonald also moving into openside flanker for the injured Daniel Braid.

Braid and Doug Howlett were not considered because of hamstring troubles. Deputy halfback Steve Devine did not travel because of a calf strain. Blindside flanker Troy Flavell's hip problem is still causing concern although a decision about whether Kurtis Haiu will take his place will not be made until tomorrow.

The selectors resisted using the familiarity of an all-Harbour alliance of McAlister, Tipoki and Anthony Tuitavake against the Waratahs. Instead they chose to retain Lavea at first five-eighths and build on the confidence he would have taken from the Blues 26-15 win against the Brumbies.

If the Waratahs get a regular flow of phase ball, the Blues inside backs will face a demanding examination of their defence with David Lyons, Wycliff Palu, Wendell Sailor or Lote Tuqiri running off rucks.

Without the hard tackling edge of Tipoki, the Blues may be exposed because Lavea is not the most robust defender while McAlister is likely to be a little diffident in his comeback match after cracking his jaw.

Waratahs skipper Chris Whitaker has a potent side around him tomorrow and believes they have the clout to win their maiden Super title this season.

The experienced halfback will become the first player to reach 100 games for his franchise tomorrow and knows any slip-up against the Blues will make his prediction sound hollow.

"We've always had a team on paper to win the games. We've always just fallen short and I suppose in the harder games, when the times got tough we seemed to turn it up a fair bit," he told AAP.

The Waratahs have only lost to the Bulls in their six games this season and former All Black coach John Mitchell is one who has added his approval about their consistency and player depth.

Coach Ewen McKenzie dealt with his backline luxuries by sending Sam Norton-Knight to the bench tomorrow while he also has several Wallabies in the forward reserves.

* Halfback Byron Kelleher may not start for the Chiefs on Saturday because of his tender ribs and travel fatigue after attending a family bereavement in the United States.

Kelleher is expected to return from the US today to join the Chiefs for the daylong journey to Canberra. Jamie Nutbrown and Brendon Leonard have been training with the squad to play the Brumbies.

Wing Sosene Anesi is expected to be cleared for selection after the head knock which kept him out of the final stages of the Commonwealth Games sevens triumph. 

 
Aussie Stadium, Sydney, 9pm Friday

Blues: Isa Nacewa, V. Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Tasesa Lavea, John Senio, Nick Williams, Angus Macdonald, Troy Flavell, Ali Williams, Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock

Interchange: Tim Dow, Saimone Taumoepeau, Kurtis Haiu, Anthony Boric, Junior Poluleilagaga, Rua Tipoki, Brent Ward.

Waratahs: Peter Hewat, Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, Shaun Berne
Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, Chris Whitaker (c), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson

Interchange: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Sam Norton-Knight.