Rugby: Brett-McAlister combo for Blues

Stephen Brett will lead the side around the field with Luke McAlister alongside him. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Blues have reverted to their twin pivot backline directors in a surprise for tomorrow's shootout with the Highlanders at Carisbrook.

Stephen Brett will lead the side around the field with Luke McAlister alongside him, a partnership which guided the side through a four-game winning sequence after the fortunate draw with the Force.

The duo were separated last round when Brett was joined by Benson Stanley who brought solidity and direction to the midfield.

However coach Pat Lam has decided the Brett-McAlister is the best starting axis for tomorrow's quest to stay top of the New Zealand pool in the Super 15.

Brett has led the side's game plan strongly for most of the season while McAlister's standards have risen with unimpeded fitness and regular selection.

His goalkicking is also a factor with a success rate of about 73 per cent while Brett has dropped to 50 per cent after his off-target showing against the Rebels on Good Friday.

The other selection change for the Blues was expected with Tevita Mailau replacing the injured Tony Woodcock at loosehead prop.

Woodcock was still in some pain yesterday but a scan had cleared him of structural damage in his left foot.

However he could not put much weight on his foot and will miss the next month of rugby.

"All I heard was a popping sensation and it's pretty swollen so it'll take a while to come right," Woodcock said.

Coach Lam and his selectors are low on locking choices with Filo Paulo the latest casualty.

He broke a bone in his foot during his appearance from the bench last game, is also in a moon boot and will be out for the season while Kurtis Haiu is on indefinite leave after the discovery of a lesion in his rib. Anthony Boric is also protecting a tender hamstring.

"Lock is an issue for us at the moment and has quite a few challenges," Lam said.

Loose forwards Daniel Braid (neck) and Mat Luamanu (hamstring) are still unavailable as they recover from injuries which have blighted their past month.

That damage toll means bench selections for young prop Pauliasi Manu and lock James King while Toby Morland has pipped Chris Smylie as backup halfback.

There is also the challenge of having to rest captain Keven Mealamu at some stage to satisfy the arrangements every franchise made with the All Black selectors. Injuries to Kaino earlier and now Woodcock had covered their needs.

"We are working that one through, we have the bye to come and whether that means no training at all and then being on the bench we will wait and see," Lam said.

Carisbrook, 7.35pm tomorrow

HIGHLANDERS
Robbie Robinson
Kade Poki
Kendrick Lynn
Ben Smith
Siale Piutau
Tony Brown
Jimmy Cowan
Nasi Manu
Alando Soakai
Adam Thomson
Josh Bekhuis
Jarrad Hoeata
Chris King
Jason Rutledge
J Mackintosh (c)

BLUES
Isaia Toeava
Joe Rokocoko
Jared Payne
Luke McAlister
Rene Ranger
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Luke Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Anthony Boric
John Afoa
K Mealamu (c)
Tevita Mailau

Highlanders: Mo Schwalger, David Te Moana, Tom Donnelly, Nick Crosswell, Aaron Smith, Matt Saunders, James Paterson.

Blues: Tom McCartney, Pauliasi Manu, Jammes King, Chris Lowrey, Toby Morland, Benson Stanley, Lachie Munro.