Play nzherald.co.nz's rugby Pick the Score competition - go to: pickthescore.nzherald.co.nz
The Blues unveiled their version of Baldrick and his cunning plan as they completed their preparations for tomorrow's Super 14 task against the front-running Sharks.
Five-eighths Jimmy Gopperth and openside flanker Onosa'i Tololima Auva'a left the squad before their final match in South Africa and flew home to give them
extra time to recover and prepare for this fourth-round clash at Eden Park.
Coach Pat Lam wanted fresh men in those key positions for the challenge from the Sharks, who struggled at the start of their New Zealand campaign against the Chiefs but have now acclimatised properly.
"We looked at this as a tough challenge to turn around and thought who we could send back a little bit earlier," Lam said on the novel approach.
The idea gained further value when five-eighths Tasesa Lavea injured his hamstring in Cape Town and flanker Justin Collins had to be spelled after he collected his 100th Super cap. The selectors are being careful about fast-tracking young utility Michael Hobbs and have given flanker Josh Blackie a spell.
While that planning has worked for the Blues they also received a boost with test lock Ali Williams announcing he was ready, having recovered from a back problem, to replace fellow All Black Anthony Boric, who has cracked a bone in his elbow.
"It's pleasing, he [Williams] has got a lot of enthusiasm and is really keen to get into it," Lam said. "From what I know of him, he's exactly the same. I think the key is he has probably improved in his rugby, as we all do with age. But certainly he's a great team man, just enjoys being in that rugby environment and he's really looking forward to getting out there."
Lam hoped his senior lock would cope with a full game, but if not his younger brother Jay is on the bench after overcoming his ankle problems.
It was not possible to record Williams' thoughts about his comeback to the Blues after a year down south with the Crusaders, because he slapped a media ban on himself.
Gopperth is the only starting change in the Blues backline, while there are several alterations in the pack. Williams fronts for his initial game while Jerome Kaino shifts to blindside to accommodate Chris Lowrey at No 8 with Auva'a on the openside while there are rests for Collins and Blackie.
"We're pretty tired, we are battered and bruised. Those African boys are big and we go into another big group this week. But certainly we are pleased that we got 10 points [in their first three games, all played overseas].
"We are going up against a team that has had an extra day on us and just travelled up the road. That is the challenge. There are some pretty tired boys out there and we have kept it pretty low and only had about an hour run and hope that we can get up for it."
Lam said there were a few yawns in the team meeting and players walking stiffly at practice, but he was not asking much of the players until match day.
"The Sharks are strong right through. They have a lot of Springboks, a lot of experience," Lam said. "We have to play as a team again, we have to stick to the gameplan and work through the tactics we need against these guys and then we will be in with a show."
