Recovering wings Rene Ranger and Lachie Munro are in an absorbing selection duel to meet the Reds in Saturday's sudden-death Super 15 semifinal in Brisbane.
They are the yin and yang in the Blues backline, the country-cousin and city-slicker who resurrected their careers in Northland and have brought that impetus
to the Blues. Both are coming off injuries which have complicated the choice for coach Pat Lam.
That choice is the only uncertainty in the playing XV, with Chris Lowrey picked to deputise for injured lock Anthony Boric and others bracketed for a variety of reasons in the reserves.
"We will make a decision when we get over there," Lam said. about his wings. "We have plenty of time.
"Both of them are coming back from injury but I've got a gut feeling who will start."
Ranger returned to full training this week after hamstring troubles, while Munro has tender ribs after he was collected in a cynical tackle by Waratah Phil Waugh last Friday.
Their selection joust would have come out of robust debate amongst the coaching staff of Lam, Liam Barry and Bryce Woodward.
Consider the pros and cons.
The 25-year-old Ranger is 1.83m, 105kg and a devastating runner who graduated to the All Blacks last season.
His preferred modus operandi is to beat defences with pace, sidesteps and power although his grubber kick and retrieve in his last match against the Crusaders in Timaru, was pure panache.
