KEY POINTS:
Rugby coaches use an array of tactical approaches. For Blues supremo David Nucifora, that means delving into the records to give his side a reality check ahead of Saturday's match with the Chiefs.
The Blues may be skipping along neatly at the head of the Super 14 but
the coaching staff are aware they need to balance their approval with some caution. That was not difficult yesterday for Nucifora as he surveyed the prospects of the weekend in Hamilton. The word never left his lips but the Chiefs have been a bogey opponent for the Super 14 leaders.
"We are not happy being beaten in the last two years by the Chiefs. This is a big game for us, it is a one-off game," he said.
Scanning the files reveals a sorry Blues scoring tally of six Luke McAlister penalties in those two losses, while if Nucifora cared he could also have discovered a defeat the year before. At least the Blues scored some tries in that match but they have not beaten their neighbours since 2003, when they were helped by some Rupeni Caucaunibuca magic.
Nucifora has a full squad to choose from with wings Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake and prop Saimone Taumoepeau cleared.
That luxury does not apply to the Chiefs. Flanker Steven Bates may return from his ankle injury but fellow forwards Tanerau Latimer, Jono Gibbes and Keith Robinson are less likely. Centre Richard Kahui will resume light contact training this week.
Nucifora would not reveal any of his selection plans but it does not look as though he will be too cute with any of his reconditioned All Blacks, not when the deputies have produced such strong performances.
Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock may start or be asked to go round again in club rugby because he does not cover both sides of the scrum from the bench, and the other three - Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams and Rokocoko - may be reserves at best.
Nucifora said there had been no directives from the All Black selectors.
"All of these boys [the deputies] are potentially their players and one of the great things coming out of the first eight weeks is that these guys have given the All Black selectors more people to think about."
An example was hooker Derren Witcombe, who had been particularly accurate in his core work at scrums and lineouts and also shown his ball skills around the field. He had been strong all season and responded even further when Mealamu was available again to the Blues.
"It is great we are left to manage our own players and work out what is best for our team," Nucifora said, adding the immediate task was to sort out the tactics and team to beat the Chiefs, and there was a longer-term view on how best to manage the entire squad through the rest of the series.
