Rugby: Blues on the edge for sudden death

Blues flanker Jerome Kaino says the team are confident and excited for tonight's match against the Waratahs. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Forget the past 18 weeks, this is it, knockout Super footy. When referee Chris Pollock starts play tonight at Eden Park, barring extra time, the Blues and Waratahs will be 80 minutes away from acclaim or reproach.

Victory will bring more training and travel, defeat will deliver post mortems, headaches and inquiries about how best to bounce back for the 2012 season.

This is sudden death, the close of the debut chapter of the extended series for one of these sides, the Super 15 full stop for the departing Joe Rokocoko, Jared Payne, Luke McAlister, Stephen Brett and John Afoa from the Blues, or Phil Waugh, Al Baxter, Luke Burgess, Pat O'Connor and Soseni Anesi from the 'Tahs.

"We have a lot of guys leaving but we don't want this to be their last match, we want to kick on and give them a really strong farewell," said Blues hardman Jerome Kaino.

Kaino and tonight's centurion Afoa are the only surviving Blues players who started their previous semifinal, the unsuccessful away trip to the Sharks in 2007.

"That was some time ago and travelling away to Africa took a great deal out of us," said Kaino. "We are at home for this and being able to prepare in our own environment gives us a lot of confidence. You can detect a lot of excited body language."

Coach Pat Lam and his staff seemed more on edge, trying to cover off every possibility from injury to extra time. Some of that frailty showed yesterday when they refused to allow a Herald photographer into Eden Park to take a shot of their final training session.

Forecast wet weather should not affect the Blues, who have been accustomed to those conditions in recent weeks, though spectators may be reluctant to run the meteorological gauntlet.

"We will have plans A and B for the weather and if there is any fatigue, the mental excitement of playing this match will cover that over," Kaino forecast.

Waratahs coach Chris Hickey bemoaned the injury rate in his side and certainly the late halfback exit of Luke Burgess is a big hit, although the Blues could point to similar ill-fortune with a swag of senior players absent.

The 'Tahs' loss of front-rowers Tatafu Polota-Nau and Al Baxter should be a green light special for the Blues to start their attack up front, to mark their card on their home track. Set-piece solidity and thoughtful tactical kicking should be Lam's mantra to get his side settled and into the contest.

They know new hooker John Ulugia has a wobbly lineout throw and they should be doing everything to give him the delivery jitters in awkward conditions.

Mid-comp the Blues dealt to the Waratahs but Waugh's return will strengthen their grit and breakdown clout.

"It was one of the games this year we didn't really turn up for," coach Chris Hickey agreed.

"With a quality team like the Blues you have to play for the full 80 minutes. We were awestruck in the first half, some games that happens and it has not happened since."

The Waratahs had to tighten defensive lines and up their attack because penalties will not be enough to beat the Blues. Transplanted five-eighths Kurtley Beale, used to the role and finals football, will be a strong director.

The visitors have been stung this week by defections in the front row, halfback and five-eighths which should weaken their resistance.

The Blues should be detached from that plight. Their focus should be on their game, their plans, this is the start of their mini-World Cup and if they keep their nerve, victory should follow.

Eden Park, 7.35 tonight

BLUES
Jared Payne
Joe Rokocoko
Benson Stanley
Luke McAlister
Lachie Munro
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Luke Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Anthony Boric
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu (c)
Charlie Faumuina

WARATAHS
Lachie Turner
Atieli Pakalani
Ryan Cross
Tom Carter
Sosene Anesi
Kurtley Beale
Josh Holmes
Dave Dennis
Phil Waugh (c)
Dean Mumm
Sitaleki Timani
Kane Douglas
Paddy Ryan
John Ulugia
Benn Robinson

Blues: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Chris Lowrey, Daniel Braid, Chris Smylie, Winston Stanley, Sherwin Stowers.

Waratahs: Elvis Taione, Jeremy Tilse, Pat O'Connor, Chris Alcock, Hugh Perrett, Brendan McKibbin, Bernard Foley.