KEY POINTS:
The wait continues for the Blues. Selection has been delayed, according to the official word, because there is a chance that playmaker Nick Evans will be cleared to resume against the Stormers after being concussed in the last round.
Whether that adjournment is genuine or a strategy to
ruffle their rivals is open to opinion but it seems the Blues feel Evans could return for what looms as a series defining match against the resurgent South Africans.
His appearance would be a boost as the Blues survey successive defeats while the Stormers are halfway towards their pre-trip forecast that they can win all four games on the road.
The Blues are already without Isa Nacewa because of a knee injury and Evans' withdrawal would mean they would be without their two most influential backs for the Easter Saturday showdown at Eden Park.
It would probably mean the Blues picking utility back Isaia Toeava again as five-eighths instead of risking the specialist but inexperienced talents of Lachie Munro. Toeava may not have the variety and five-eighths finesse of Evans but his strong defence would be vital against the Stormers' attack close to the fringes.
Any wacky thoughts of the Blues emulating the Auckland cricket team's use of English fast bowler Jimmy Anderson were dashed when the Stormers hired help, former All Black five-eighths Tony Brown, arrived yesterday with some damage.
Stormers' coach Rassie Erasmus had decided he would not risk Brown this weekend and that was reconfirmed when Brown suffered a chest injury in his Japanese club side's championship win at the weekend.
While the Stormers are unlikely to tweak their team much after away wins against the Reds and Chiefs, the Blues are desperate to recover the form which saw them blast off with three wins at the start of the Super 14. Ensuing losses to the Sharks and Force have dented that form.
Coach David Nucifora claimed they would have put the Force away if they had been ruthless enough to convert their opportunities. Errors however, had eaten into their self-belief.
Star flanker Daniel Braid should be in the frame to start after a hit out last weekend showed he had recovered from the shoulder surgery which had kept him out of this year's series. Both Braid and Justin Collins will probably be needed to combat the relentless ferocity of Stormers loose forward Schalk Burger.
