Troy Flavell of the Blues in action against Highlanders Hoani MacDonald (C) and James Ryan in the match on March 2. Photo / Getty Images
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The Blues may revise their selection plans for the next Super 14 challenge from the Lions, who have emerged as surprise frontrunners in the series.
Coach David Nucifora admitted he and his staff would reconsider some tactics after the Lions continued their unbeaten offshore trip in Australia.
"We
will need to discuss it in full and that always takes into account the form of your opponent, and with all these things it is a moving target," Nucifora said.
The Blues spoke about introducing a few more players from their squad for Saturday's match at Eden Park before the side had a bye.
Selection changes have been minimal this season because the Blues have played strongly and not been affected by injury. Nucifora was tempted to try a few different players against the Lions but their results may alter that strategy.
"They had not won in 12 years in Australia and now they have two on the trot," he said. "They have got our attention."
Before the Super 14 there was widespread pessimism in South Africa about the tournament chances of the side, formerly the Cats.
That melancholic view increased when they lost their opening game against the Waratahs.
Since that defeat, the Lions have won four in a row and are ready to start the classy Andre Pretorius at first five-eighths after injury.
"They have been targeting him for this game. He was great against us last year," Nucifora said. "He organises a game well, he runs and kicks terrifically and makes a huge difference to them."
Pretorius was used off the bench against the Reds at the weekend and kickstarted the Lions' revival.
"I thought they grafted their first couple of wins where their scrum and lineout was effective," Nucifora said.
"But the big difference has been that their defence looks much better organised. They don't leak points like they used to."
The Blues bagged their latest win - 28-9 against the Highlanders - after outgunning a tenacious defence through the second-half power of ball-carrying forwards like Troy Flavell and Jerome Kaino.
The pack made a number of crushing drives before the interval, but the attacks were unprofitable against the determined Highlanders.
Greater variety in the attack and the weight of possession in the Blues' favour made the second-half difference and kept the Blues in the series lead.
"Making others chase is a good position to be in," Nucifora said. "We know how difficult it is to be in the middle of the pack, how much pressure there is to keep up. It is far easier to be at the top and we can just focus on what we need to be doing.
"But any mistake in this game against the Lions and our buffer will be eaten up because of the bye.
"In saying that though, the bye comes at a good time for us after two trial matches and six games.
"Our guys are starting to feel the fatigue."
