Rugby: Carisbrook clash will be a test of resilience

Luke McAlister has been reclaimed for his goalkicking and general expertise. Photo / Getty Images

If rugby-loving Prince William needs to settle any wedding nerves tonight he could tune in to see some serious action from Carisbrook.

The Blues arrive as the top New Zealand side in the Super 15 while the hosts the Highlanders have made all the noise in their resurgent season.

This will be a clash of styles and a battle of wills - not the Prince and the remote but a test of each side's resilience.

The Blues have shown progress, they have corrected their erratic chart this season yet they have been behind at halftime in five of their matches.

The Highlanders have been adrift at the interval in only three games as they have held their consistency and surprise form through the tournament.

Neither side has been beaten in the last month - results which hint a bumper crowd will rock up tonight at the 'Brook, although by yesterday, sales had only scraped past 5000.

The forecast is fine so that is an incentive for spectators to show up and for both sides to persevere with Plan A which they will have trained for this week.

They have both made switches. The Blues have tinkered with their inside backs reclaiming Luke McAlister for his goalkicking and general expertise alongside Stephen Brett.

The Highlanders have recalled key men like Adam Thomson, Alando Soakai, Jimmy Cowan and Kade Poki, after injury.

Coach Jamie Joseph said those who had been replaced had a right to be disappointed because of the way they beat the Crusaders in the last round.

"We are a team and I think you see that.

"This is a different opposition and we've got some guys who are recovered and rested and we want to give them an opportunity."

Joseph has eased leading lineout forward Tom Donnelly to the bench, preferring the hard-driving play of Josh Bekhuis and Jarrad Hoeata.

It is clear Joseph wants to engage the Blues up front. He wants to bring them into an attritional contest and sees some areas to exploit.

Tony Woodcock's injury absence loosens one link, Ali Williams is light on any rugby, Peter Saili and Luke Braid are learning - the Highlanders exerting some clout up front will reduce the danger from the Blues backs.

Joseph will want Jimmy Cowan and Tony Brown to stack on similar hardball rugby - attacking the Blues' defence and resilience around the inside channels.

The comparison between McAlister and transplanted fullback Ben Smith in midfield will be a lively barometer of both teams' fortunes.

Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino and captain Keven Mealamu are the Blues' talismen - dependable and capable of making special plays to lift their side.

Similarly Thomson has been in colossal form for the Highlanders. His work-rate across the park, his support play and try-scoring have been top drawer while Kaino brings that physical edge which should draw sparks if he tangles with Hoeata.

The Blues have won the last four clashes between the sides and hint at a more potent attack. Figures show the Blues have scored 30 tries this season compared with the Highlanders' 23; both sides have yielded 18 tries.

Not much in it - just the way we figure it will be tonight.