Rugby: Blues make the case for defence

Isaia Toeava has been showing regular gains each week at fullback for the Blues.

But that impetus received a detour yesterday as the coaches looked to stiffen the side's defence for tomorrow's Super 14 assignment against the Waratahs at Eden Park.

Toeava has been shifted to centre in a backline which has new faces and other rearrangements after a season when they have been cut up too easily and were shredded last week by the Chiefs.

Jamie Helleur comes into midfield alongside Toeava, Paul Williams returns from his muscle tear and slots in at fullback while Anthony Tuitavake moves out to the wing.

Selection casualties are Michael Hobbs in midfield and Rene Ranger on the wing while Justin Collins' hamstring problems mean he is replaced by Onosai Tololima-Auva'a in the 100th Super match for captain Keven Mealamu and the 50th for Jerome Kaino.

There had been hopes loosehead prop Tony Woodcock would make it back to the team after his inner-ear problems but he just managed some light work in the gym so Tevita Mailau retains his place in the front row.

Coach Pat Lam hoped he might have regained Woodcock for the stern examination expected from the Waratahs pack.

He was philosophical about the All Black's absence, wished him well for his recovery and challenged his colleagues to step up.

His other request was for some starch, discipline and hard work on defence as the Blues surveyed a statistics sheet which showed they had conceded the most tries in the Super 14.

"We have been tidying up our systems," Lam said yesterday.

"What came through clearly was that the systems work and it is about the guys staying in there and there was a bit of finger-pointing by the senior guys and everybody's talking about it.

"It just takes one to come out and it makes it hard for everyone else. The attitude's been great and we need to put it on the park."

Lam said the feeling after Hamilton was very similar to the loss to the Bulls in Pretoria.

"As we said before, it is inexcusable so training becomes easy," Lam explained.

There was no lack of attention, determination or effort at practice this week as the Blues worked on plans to rectify the blowouts.

The Blues had scarcely suffered on the points table but Lam said that was not his focus because he and the players needed to fix the playing issues if they were to thrive in this tournament.

"We put all the things that broke us into our systems when we trained and now it is about transferring that on to the field," he said. "It is not rocket science."

Waratahs skipper Phil Waugh has been cleared to play after his Achilles tendon trouble but benched five-eighths Kurtley Beale has stayed in Sydney to recuperate from a bout of tonsilitis. He is expected to fly today.

Daniel Halangahu will direct the backline instead, while coach Chris Hickey confirmed Wallaby utility forward Dean Mumm would switch from blindside flanker to lock.

Eden Park, 7.35pm tomorrow

BLUES
Paul Williams
Anthony Tuitavake
Isaia Toeava
Jamie Helleur
Joe Rokocoko
Jimmy Gopperth
Taniela Moa
Jerome Kaino
Onosa'i Auva'a
Chris Lowrey
Ali Williams
Kurtis Haiu
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu (c)
Tevita Mailau

WARATAHS
S. Norton-Knight
Lachie Turner
Rob Horne
Tom Carter
Lote Tuqiri
Dan Halangahu
Luke Burgess
Wycliff Palu
Phil Waugh (c)
Ben Mowen
Dean Mumm
Will Caldwell
Dan Palmer
Tatafu Polota-Nau
Benn Robinson

Waratahs: D. Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Luke Doherty, Brett Sheehan, Kurtley Beale, Timana Tahu.

Blues: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Anthony Boric, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Michael Hobbs, Rene Ranger.