Rugby: Boric's departure adds to Blues' toll

Anthony Boric. Photo / Greg Bowker

Anthony Boric's departure from the Blues has left the squad without eight choices for the final match in South Africa against the Stormers.

The All Black lock woke in some discomfort after the side broke their drought against the Bulls and has flown home for further specialist attention.

"He had some possible nerve or disc problems and was put immediately into a neck brace and he was taken to the hospital for x-rays," coach Pat Lam said.

"So he was unavailable for this game and has gone home with Rene Ranger and more tests will be done at home. At this stage the doc has told me it could be anything from two weeks to six weeks."

Boric did not recall taking any knock on his neck during the game but he has a history of shoulder and neck problems.

The All Black lock's place has been taken by Filo Paulo, who has made one sub appearance this season, while Ranger's fortnight suspension has opened the way for David Raikuna to start on the wing in the two changes to the Blues' lineup.

The latest problems did not help but victory last week did and the senior players had been working hard to drive the tactical plan Lam and his staff had laid down for Saturday's game at Cape Town.

The Stormers were coming off a bye, were huge physical men and brought a strong all-round game backed up by Peter Grant's kicking game, Lam said.

"You have to be right on your game if you are any chance of beating them over here," observed the Blues coach.

"They are passionately supported [with] intimidating grounds and the Stormers and the Bulls have been two of the top teams in South Africa for a while now," Lam said.

"To beat them you need to be at your best and you need to be at your best as a team. It is simple.

"We did not play as a team against the Chiefs, we did it in patches against the Crusaders and we certainly came right the next week so we need the same teamwork and togetherness if we want to have any hope here."

Stormers skipper Jean de Villiers is searching for more creativity and finesse from his backs to complement the solid work from the pack.

"The forwards have performed well as a unit but we haven't seen the same synergy from the backs," he said.

"We've got to create chances and convert them, and to do that we have to put in a big effort and make good decisions."

STORMERS

Cape Town, 6.10am Saturday

Joe Pietersen
Gio Aplon
Juan de Jongh
Jean de Villiers (c)
Bryan Habana
Peter Grant
Dewaldt Duvenage
Nick Koster
Duane Vermeulen
Siya Kolisi
Andries Bekker
De Kock Steenkamp
Brock Harris
Tiaan Liebenberg
Steven Kitshoff

Stormers: Skara Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schrueder, Gary van Aswegen, Gerhard van den Heever.

BLUES

Lachie Munro
David Raikuna
Benson Stanley
Ma'a Nonu
Sherwin Stowers
Gareth Anscombe
Piri Weepu
Chris Lowrey
Daniel Braid
Luke Braid
Ali Williams
Filo Paulo
Charlie Faumuina
Keven Mealamu (c)
Pauliasi Manu

Blues: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Brad Mika, Peter Saili, Alby Mathewson, Hadleigh Parkes, Ben Lam.