KEY POINTS:
All the buzz has been about the backs and there is little doubt international stars of the future lie within those Blues and Sharks formations.
While a piece of individual brilliance or finishing from that group may split tonight's Super 14 contest at North Harbour Stadium, the path
to the outcome will be set by two accomplished sets of forwards.
Their ability to exert control in what may be unflattering conditions will be the critical component for two sides hunting the results to ensure valuable semifinal hosting rights.
In some ways the sides look similar, with their blend of crusty forwards and exciting young backs, the ability to vary their attacking methods and dominate large chunks of matches.
Statistics underscore their likeness with the Blues scoring 31 tries and conceding 11, the Sharks nailing 25 and yielding 10. The Blues have lost once, the Sharks have suffered two defeats.
Both sides look to offload, to keep the tempo of the game up, to search for openings across the field rather than trying to bludgeon their way ahead with the blinkers on.
"They do not have a traditional South African approach, they do not just rely on the rumble in the forwards," Blues coach David Nucifora said.
It was an assessment endorsed by halfback Steve Devine who will be running the Blues command centre and barking the directions on attack and defence.
"They have got speed in their backs, options every side and a big pack up front," Devine said.
"We need our forwards to step up though because at times last week, the Cheetahs got on top of us and we can't allow that to happen to us this week. They are big men and they like to go forward."
Cue the sort of power and momentum the Blues pack provided against the Lions and Waratahs, the relentless approach which has shown as the Blues have shed some of their flakiness from last season. Messages about discipline, nerve and composure should be flooding the Blues' other directives about defensive damage and numbers to the breakdown.
While the Sharks repaired their two-game losing stretch with a rampant win last week against the Reds, coach Dick Muir also warned they would not get away with the number of missed tackles in Brisbane.
The Blues will also fancy they have an advantage at loose forward with Daniel Braid, someone whose speed to the tackle or breakdown will deliver enough ball to create a weight of tackling pressure for the visitors.
Isa Nacewa has also shown a growing composure at first five-eighths, mixing his running and developing kicking game while holding firm on the inside defensive channels. Opposite him, the Sharks have pushed teenager Francois Steyn up from fullback to accommodate Percy Montgomery who has recovered from a leg injury.
Steyn, like his gifted halfback Ruan Pienaar, has great talent but has been nurtured this season away from the intensity of organising a backline. Any indecision tonight, any hesitation will be punished and the Blues will be aiming up on Steyn to test his mettle.
The stakes are high enough to suggest a Sharks defeat could eliminate them from their quest to host a semifinal.
Albany, 7.35 tonight
Blues: Ben Atiga, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Sam Tuitupou, Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Troy Flavell (c), Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Nick White, Ali Williams, Justin Collins, David Gibson, David Holwell, Joe Rokocoko
Sharks: P. Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, Waylon Murray, Brad Barritt, JP Pietersen, Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski, Bob Skinstad, Jacques Botes, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, John Smit (c), Deon Carstens
Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Albert van den Berg, Warren Britz, Rory Kockott, Butch James, Adrian Jacobs.
