KEY POINTS:
For most sides, the loss of two All Black midfielders would be drastic, but the Blues had the comfort of reintroducing test five-eighths Luke McAlister for their next match with the Brumbies.
Alterations had to be made to the backline yesterday when Isaia Toeava (shoulder) and Sam Tuitupou
(knee) failed fitness checks on injuries they suffered in the side's opening win against the Crusaders.
Coach David Nucifora chose to switch Anthony Tuitavake from the left wing into centre to partner his provincial colleague McAlister, opening room for Rudi Wulf to start on the wing in Canberra on Saturday.
Those forced changes were the only alterations to the Blues who started the Super 14 series strongly last week against the defending champions at Eden Park. McAlister made an immediate impact when he set up a try soon after his second half introduction.
Beating the Brumbies on their home patch, after the form they showed last week against the Chiefs, looms as a much more difficult assignment. However, former Brumbies coach Nucifora, who linked up with the Blues two years ago, has seen his new side beat his old team in both subsequent encounters.
The Brumbies will be strengthened for this game though with the return of test five-eighths Stephen Larkham. His replacement Julian Huxley kicked much more than normal for the Brumbies but it was a strategy which built a winning momentum against the Chiefs.
Larkham acknowledged he was not as adept as Huxley as a tactical kicker but thought the Brumbies would persevere with the early season tactic. Huxley would share the duties as he would replace the injured Mark Gerrard on Saturday.
"It's important to play for field position because the referees are on to everything and they are looking to make a stand," Larkham told the Australian.
The Blues forwards have set up the last two wins against the Brumbies and already the locals are talking warily about new Blues captain Troy Flavell's influence. His duel with another mobile ball-handling lock Mark Chisholm will be one of many stirring matchups.
Nucifora said his side would be tested by the ability of George Smith and Julian Salvi to snare loose ball while their work at the setpiece had been impressive.
Blues v Brumbies
Canberra, 9.40pm Saturday
Blues: George Pisi, Doug Howlett, Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister, Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa, David Gibson, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Troy Flavell (c) Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, S Taumoepeau
Reserves: Chris Heard, Nick White, Anthony Boric, Justin Collins, Steve Devine, David Holwell, Ben Atiga.
