Rugby: Blues ready for mini-World Cup

John Afoa says he still has to make it through training before he can notch up his 100th game for the Blues against the Waratahs on Friday. Photo / Getty Images

Timing counts for much in rugby and the Blues and tighthead prop John Afoa have got their schedules in sync for their upcoming mini-World Cup.

They are heading into the sudden-death section of the Super 15, three games away from a rare title shot or one match from an exit this Friday against the Waratahs at Eden Park.

The Blues have staunched their losing streak as they focus on a game which doubles as Afoa's 100th for the franchise.

His Hall of Fame entry completes the front row set as captain Keven Mealamu and loosehead prop Tony Woodcock are the only other members of the special club.

It took some doing this season as Afoa played in all 16 round-robin games, 15 starts and one from the bench, in the Blues schedule.

"I did the maths at the back end of last year and have been counting the games. It has worked out, now I have to hope I get through training," he said.

Initially the Blues were going to rotate their props more this season but serious injuries to Charlie Faumuina and Woodcock meant Afoa had to take on much more of the load.

For a few weeks his training was reduced but he loves the gym and playing even more and rates that combination his best recipe.

"Last week Pat (Lam) put the acid on me when he said it was more important to play well in my 99th game if I wanted to get to my 100th," Afoa recalled.

Once this season finishes, Afoa and Blues centre Jared Payne are heading to play for the ambitious Ulster club where they are determined to play some quality rugby well before their careers end.

Lam hopes there will be more of that at Eden Park on Friday. Reaching the playoffs was a huge fillip and the squad had been boosted by medical reports that Daniel Braid was in the frame again after playing half a club game at the weekend.

That would create more selection heat as his brother Luke had been playing strongly since he got a chance with his brother's neck injury. This week would be a huge step up for everyone in and around the Blues.

Afoa set the standards in the squad, while departing midfielder Luke McAlister would hit 50 games on Friday.

"John pulled out a massive last game. He had 68 minutes and topped the tackle count with 20, while his scrummaging and all the basics were great," Lam said.

The side's preparation would not alter for this sudden-death game. They had to front up and deliver as they had last round in reversing their results pattern. They had lifted their enthusiasm, made their tackles and cut down their handling errors in awful weather.

Now they were heading into the sort of rugby Lam said would mirror the pressure teams would face at the World Cup later this season.

"If you focus on one game at a time you have a good chance," he replied when asked if the Super 15 or World Cup was more awkward.

"If you look too far ahead then you are in big trouble. If we get the Waratahs out of the way then we can focus on the next one."

The Blues beat the Waratahs 31-17 at Eden Park in mid-April but the visitors did not have captain Phil Waugh or midfield back Tom Carter for that game. They showed their defensive clout in the second half of that match, shutting out the Blues and scoring 10 points themselves and have returned to that pattern in the last few matches.

Test frontrowers Tatafu Polota-Nau and Al Baxter have been ruled out of the match through injury leaving the Waratahs scratching for replacements.

John Ulugia is tipped to be the hooker with Jeremy Tilse at prop and Manly second grader Elvis Taone hauled in as the reserve prop.