Rugby: Ice needed to plug the leaks

Isaia Toeava. Photo / Getty Images

It seems an age since we listened to the All Black selectors talk us through their reasons for choosing Isaia Toeava in their touring party.

A check of the records confirms it was late 2005, when the national panel went into overdrive proclaiming their faith in the teenager and used phrases like future superstar and talk of his high impact potential at the next World Cup to vindicate their selection theories.

There was a mix of nodding agreement and perplexed looks from the assembled group at Eden Park that day, depending on whether you looked at the All Black top table or the members of the fourth estate.

It has been a bumpy pathway since for Toeava. He made his test debut and only appearance on that tour against Scotland before he played in his first Super rugby series in 2006, sniffed round the national squad and was then rested for the end of year trip.

He had mixed results in the last World Cup season but had a far more convincing trip with the All Blacks at the end of last season with several strong performances at fullback as he clicked over his 22nd test cap.

Game one for the Blues this season was at centre but when coach Pat Lam rearranged the lineup from the next match, Toeava's form has been on the ascent at fullback. Five straight games there have drawn a measured confidence from the 23-year-old.

He began to look more comfortable and to show the benefits of that regular selection.

But Hamilton last week changed that. Some midfield defensive foibles have gnawed at the selectors and they have asked Toeava to move into centre to help change those dynamics.

He will shut down the leaks, he will bring solidity to that operation but his positional shift will also remove his sting from fullback.

You might also wonder what it will do to his confidence which has been fortified at fullback.

It may not make one iota of difference because Toeava has appeared to be in far better control of his game this season anyway.

The back four positional rotations of Toeava, Paul Williams and Anthony Tuitavake may be designed to keep them sharper and their rivals uncertain, there may be parts of the Waratahs' style which have provoked the Blues' response.

While selectors will always talk about multi-gifted players and inter-changeable choices, a team's most productive results generally occur when players feel comfortable about their form and position.

The Blues will need that level to be high tonight.