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Quite what value the Blues see in their rearranged back four will have come from their video analysis and assessment of the Bulls' likely tactics tomorrow in Pretoria.
They probably feel Anthony Tuitavake creates more danger from centre, while shifting Isaia Toeava to fullback and having Paul Williams
and Rene Ranger on the wings makes the most stable aerial defensive unit.
Coach Pat Lam said the squad had spent plenty of time talking about their options once they had retrieved any Bulls' bombs. They had to balance ideas about counterattack with returning kicks downfield.
"That depends on the defensive line they put up against you on the chase.
"There's certainly times we need to keep hold of the ball and have a go and there will be times when we need to put it behind them into space," Lam said.
Captain Keven Mealamu remains an uncertain starter because of his hamstring strain and Tevita Mailau makes his debut at loosehead and test prop Tony Woodcock on the bench.
The Blues will be looking for protection from ref Mark Lawrence but must also help themselves, Lam said, by communicating strongly and getting off the ground to defuse Bulls kicks.
Lam had no gripes about a local referee controlling the second round match. Officials have decided to use a smaller pool of the best referees this season, irrespective of their nationality. Lawrence has controlled Six Nations and many other tests.
"I think it is great we have the best referees," Lam said. "They are professionals, they get paid and will be accountable and that adds pressure because there will be perceptions from some people but I would prefer to have the best rather than some others who might be neutral but not quite up to it."
The issue will be whether a hugely rearranged Blues side will be up to this experience.
Bulls v Blues at Pretoria, tomorrow 4am
BULLS
Zane Kirchner
Akona Ndungane
Jaco Pretorius
Wynand Olivier
Bryan Habana
Morne Steyn
Fourie du Preez (c)
Pierre Spies
Dewald Potgieter
Deon Stegmann
Danie Rossouw
Bakkies Botha
Werner Kruger
Derick Kuun
G. Steenkamp
BLUES:
Isaia Toeava
Rene Ranger
A. Tuitavake
Jamie Helleur
Paul Williams
Jimmy Gopperth
Chris Smylie
Chris Lowrey
Josh Blackie
Justin Collins
Anthony Boric
Kurtis Haiu
John Afoa
K. Mealamu (c)
Tevita Mailau.
BULLS: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Frik Kirsten, Wilhelm Steenkamp, Pedrie Wannenburg, Heini Adams, Burton Francis, JP Nel.
BLUES: McCartney/Francis Smith, Tony Woodcock, Dean Budd, Onosa'i Auva'a, Grayson Hart, Michael Hobbs, Winston Stanley.
