KEY POINTS:
And then there were four. Benson Stanley's run as the solitary back to start every Super 14 match has ended leaving a quartet of forwards who have played every game for the Blues.
Stanley has made way for Isaia Toeava in the only change to the Blues for
tomorrow's match with the Reds in Brisbane, where a maximum point win is the only acceptable result for the visitors if they are to retain any mathematical hope of making the playoffs.
Frontrowers Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, captain Troy Flavell and loose forward Jerome Kaino are the only members of the original 28-man squad who have been picked to start every game, while five players have not begun any game.
Stanley has played all 10 previous games at second five-eighths in his debut season for the Blues but a few errors last week against the Crusaders has persuaded the coaching staff to give him a rest. The rest of the rejigged backline which showed some spark against the series leader has been retained.
"Taniela Moa deserves his start at halfback after impressing against the Crusaders, and Isa Nacewa will play at first five-eighths where his organisation and communication skills worked well for us," coach David Nucifora said.
That leaves Nick Evans at fullback unless the soon-to-be Australian high performance director is intent on a repeat late positional switch with Nacewa before kickoff.
Evans has lost some of his zip since the opening few rounds but he was not helped by disjointed possession from the pack and slow delivery from halfback, which meant he became an easier target for defenders. For someone rated the next best five-eighths behind Daniel Carter, Evans' role reversal remains an unsual move as Nacewa does not have his tactical kicking prowess.
However Nucifora obviously believes Evans has not brought enough direction to the Blues backline while Nacewa will also stiffen the defence around the fringes. Evans played distractedly after he was concussed in a collision with teammate Nick Williams and while his deal with Harlequins is likely to be sorted, he cannot seem to regain his composure.
The Reds have made just three changes to their selection after their spirited showing against the Chiefs.
Loose forward Scott Higginbotham will make his debut in place of injured former skipper John Roe, while lively wing Digby Ioane has also regained his place and tighthead prop Dayna Edwards is back at tighthead instead of Rodney Blake.
* Crusaders coach Robbie Deans is bracing for a backlash from the Sharks in Christchurch tomorrow after the South Africans' tame recent showings on the Australian leg of their Super 14 rugby tour.
Centre Casey Laulala's return from injury and No 8 Nasi Manu's second start in his Super 14 career are the main features of the Crusaders' team.
Laulala is back after a head knock against the Chiefs two weeks ago that ruled him out of last week's 26-22 win over the Blues.
New Zealand under-19 player Manu is making his second Super 14 start.
Brisbane, 9.40pm tomorrow
REDS
C. Schifcofske
Digby Ioane
Morgan Turinui
Berrick Barnes
Peter Hynes
Quade Cooper
Ben Lucas
Leroy Houston
David Croft
S. Higginbotham
James Horwill (c)
Van Humphries
Dayna Edwards
Stephen Moore
Ben Coutts
BLUES
Nick Evans
David Smith
A. Tuitavake
Isaia Toeava
Rudi Wulf
Isa Nacewa
Taniela Moa
Nick Williams
Daniel Braid
Jerome Kaino
Troy Flavell (c)
Anthony Boric
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu
Tony Woodcock
Reds: Sean Hardman, Rodney Blake, Ed O'Donoghue, Poutasi Luafutu, Will Genia, Charlie Fetoai, Brando Va'aulu.
Blues: Nick White, Bronson Murray, Kurtis Haiu, Justin Collins, Danny Lee, Benson Stanley, Ben Atiga.