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Win one lose one. The Blues results pattern in the Super 14 is being repeated in their injury bulletins.
Wing Rene Ranger returns this week from the eye socket damage he suffered in South Africa but flanker Josh Blackie is facing a six-week layoff to repair ankle ligaments he tore in the weekend defeat to the Sharks.
Centurion flanker Justin Collins is back in trim after a week's rest while utility wing Paul Williams is expected to need a fortnight to recover from the thigh muscle he strained during the warmups for the latest game.
Coach Pat Lam was juggling those medical reports yesterday as he worked his way through schedules, tactics and a light training run to prepare for the side's next challenge from the Cheetahs at North Harbour Stadium on Friday.
Flanker Onosai Tololima Auva'a had recovered from cramp which forced him from the field in the 35-31 loss to the Sharks, captain Keven Mealamu would also be ready after some regular maintenance on his troublesome calf and Ali Williams had pulled up strongly after his first game.
Lock Anthony Boric and five-eighths Tasesa Lavea were about a fortnight away from a return while wing Rudi Wulf was unlikely to see any action until the ninth round as he continued to recover from a broken arm.
"It's all a bit of a jigsaw," coach Pat Lam said. "Getting 22 together is not a problem but beyond that it can be a bit of an issue."
The Blues had shown good signs to their play at set piece against the Sharks but needed to improve their continuity and learn to defuse bombs far better. If they could transfer the last 20 minutes of their game against the Sharks to their work this Friday at North Harbour Stadium, it would help their cause.
"We have to make sure our basics are done well first and that starts from our set piece and goes on to the responsibility of everyone thinking how do we look after this ball to continue the movement rather than having a crack.
"If we can replicate the last part of the Sharks game this week then we will have a better chance," Lam said.
The Cheetahs might be at the bottom of the competition but they looked a capable combination and the Blues had to make sure they were not their first victim this season.
"It is important we impose our game on them because they showed against the Hurricanes they could provide trouble and we can't afford to make mistakes against them," Lam said.
"Mentally we have got to be right, we need to learn that we need our A-game every time we go out and play."
