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KEY POINTS:
The choices are not widespread for the Blues as they contemplate their midfield for the next Super 14 match against the Bulls.
With regular second five-eighths Benson Stanley out of the tour because of a hamstring tear and other selection complications, Jamie Helleur may be asked to make his first competition start in round two on Sunday in Pretoria.
Others like Anthony Tuitavake or Isaia Toeava might have been asked to change duties but they are needed in the threequarters where Joe Rokocoko and Rudi Wulf are unavailable.
Coach Pat Lam could shift Tasesa Lavea to the vacancy and use Jimmy Gopperth at first five-eighths, or he could try utility Michael Hobbs or Winston Stanley who has been drafted into the touring group. The least disruptive choice would be to retain Helleur who came into midfield when Stanley was injured in the opening 25-19 victory against the Force.
Helleur is a 25-year-old utility who made his debut in 2005 for Auckland and was called into the Blues last year as late cover but never played.
The rash of injuries and unavailability has stretched the midfield resources after former All Black Ben Atiga decided he would bypass the Super series to recuperate and concentrate on his studies.
The Blues are already contemplating this game without starting help from Jerome Kaino or Taniela Moa who became first-time fathers at the weekend or the Williams brothers who are injured and captain Keven Mealamu faces a fitness test this week on his damaged hamstring.
The Blues will face the unbeaten Bulls at altitude, which will be a formidable challenge for tourists like Rene Ranger and Chris Lowrey, who are making their first Super 14 visit to the Republic.
The Bulls have lost captain Victor Matfield for this match with a shoulder injury but his likely replacement, Danie Rossouw, has played for the Springboks and will partner rugged Bakkies Botha. The Bulls' new captain is likely to be halfback Fourie du Preez.
