Rugby: Blues bring in Saili for must-win Sharks match

Blues coach Pat Lam has decided rest and recovery are what the Blues need this week. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

A change in location has brought another change in the loose forwards for the Blues as they look for any edge in what looms as their tournament decider against the Sharks this weekend in Durban.

Peter Saili will start at No8 for just the second time this season while openside flanker Serge Lilo returns to the team after sitting out last week's match against the Force.

The Blues sit a bonus point victory behind the leading quartet with four rounds left before the playoffs. If they beat the Sharks and halt their frustrating win-loss-win-loss routine, the Blues will sense they can qualify for the semifinals.

On paper they would look a strong chance with their next matches against the Cheetahs, Lions and Chiefs - three teams below them in the rankings - but suggesting consistency from the Blues is like grabbing mercury.

Coach Pat Lam has decided rest and recovery are the best training methods for the Blues this week. He was to take the squad through just one hitout before they meet the Sharks.

"There is a lot of focus and motivation about what needs to be achieved," he said. "While the Sharks are tough to beat at Absa Stadium, we know how high the stakes are."

The Sharks are also in a must-win scenario for the rest of the series and even if they achieve that they may miss the playoffs.

Coach John Plumtree said the Blues would ask more questions of his side's defence than most teams in the series and that was a concern as his side had suffered too many defensive lapses this season.

"We simply cannot afford to defend poorly against the Blues as they have the best backline in the competition," he said.

"They even managed to break the Stormers defence when they played them, and the Stormers have the best defence in the competition. If we make mistakes against the Blues, we could be in trouble."

Meanwhile, the Chiefs are the first New Zealand side into action tonight when they try to rediscover their rhythm and a first win in Hamilton this season.

They meet the Cheetahs who have been reinforced by the arrival of their regular loose forward captain Juan Smith. The Cheetahs have only won twice this season but they were significant scalps against the Hurricanes and Sharks.