Rugby: Compelling transtasman clash

Ali Williams in action for the Blues. Photo / Getty Images

The Blues and Reds duel in Brisbane on Friday remains a compelling top-of-the-table transtasman battle, although a few individual contests have lost some of their gloss.

Jerome Kaino against Radike Samo was going to be a blockbuster blindside duel, while a midfield square-off between Luke McAlister and Mike Harris had nuggets of provincial rivalry. Different players will now front those skirmishes before a crowd which may top 30,000.

Kaino is being rested after coming off the last game with a tender hamstring, while McAlister has recovered from a dodgy ankle but his old Harbour buddy Harris has succumbed to a knee injury.

"He [Kaino] has had a big workload so it is a chance to have a week off and trust the rest of the squad," Blues coach Pat Lam said of his decision.

It was his call, in consultation with the medics and others, he had to gauge what was best for Kaino and the Blues. He had not planned to rest the blindsider but he did not want to risk him even though he kept saying he was healthy.

Captain Keven Mealamu and tighthead prop John Afoa would be involved in their 12th straight match, while lock Anthony Boric was fit again. Those selections were a weekly decision, just like the Blues approach to sorting out a game plan for the opposition and conditions.

But these are heady times for the Blues, learning to deal with their success, as Lam explained.

"We often play on the back of negative motivation and everyone is getting used to having the smacks on the back and using that well, too," he explained.

The Blues have lost one and drawn a match to lead the New Zealand pool, while the Reds lead their section with just two defeats. That record has sent the Blues into unfamiliar territory this season after previous mixed years with Lam.

The Blues' injury toll remains high, though static, with Tony Woodcock and Daniel Braid still some weeks from a return because of foot and neck problems. Injuries are affecting most teams.

The Crusaders have flown Israel Dagg (foot), Sean Maitland (knee/foot), Adam Whitelock (pectoral muscle) and Kahn Fotuali'i (knee) home injured as their damaged roster rose after their absorbing 20-14 victory against the Stormers.

Lam pointed out the freakish nature of some injuries like those involving Conrad Smith and Drew Mitchell. Others came because of the furious competition at the breakdowns.

"Some are bad luck, it is just a fast, strong game - I'm glad I'm not playing any more," he said.

"There are some big collisions and some of them you look at and think that is just unlucky but certainly at the breakdown there is a bigger contest, there are far stronger guys there."

Every coach sweated about having a fit roster but that was part of the deal, he said. Players would benefit from a longer conditioning period but that was an issue for the Players Association.

The Blues spent yesterday sorting out their tactics for Friday. It would be a huge challenge with the travel and a new atmosphere but the Blues were excited about the occasion.

"This will be the biggest game for some of our squad and it is how we handle the pressure," Lam added.

There would be some serious Kiwi support though in what should be fine weather and a great atmosphere. The Reds were travelling well, they had great talent with James Horwell, Will Genia and Quade Cooper running their campaign.

Hurricanes halfback Tyson Keats was yesterday suspended for four weeks for a dangerous tackle on Blues halfback Alby Mathewson in their Friday night match.

Keats lifted Mathewson in the air before dropping him on his neck.