Rugby: Lam ploy niggles Blues' rivals

Blues coach Pat Lam. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Blues coach Pat Lam has found himself offside with New Zealand's four other franchises after appearing to flout "rules" laid out to them by the All Black panel on resting All Blacks.

The Blues' revival as a Super rugby force might be welcomed in the Queen City, but there is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction at some of the methods used to get there.

At a meeting with all the five franchises before the season started, the All Black panel asked that 22 players be given two weeks off during the tournament. This was clearly spelled out as two non-rugby activity weeks - no training, no team meetings and certainly no playing.

It was understood that wherever possible those weeks off would be run alongside bye weeks. It was a far more acceptable approach to the franchises and public than the withdrawal of 22 players from the first half of the Super 14 in 2007.

Later, in individual meetings with the franchises, the five coaches were given a list of players under consideration for the World Cup, but outside the core 22, whom the selectors would have liked to see get at least one week off during the Super 15.

There is a feeling among the New Zealand franchises that the Blues have not kept their side of the bargain, particularly with the continued selection of hooker Keven Mealamu, one of the "protected" 22.

Lam has indicated Mealamu will be on the bench against the Chiefs following their bye this weekend. Early this year, he claimed Mealamu was getting rest during the week by getting leave to miss some trainings.

"We wouldn't put Kevey out there if he was feeling tired, if anything he and the rest of the team haven't hit our peak yet, we're feeling fresh, we're feeling good," Lam said this month.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand said "in general" the NZRU were pleased with the amount of rest the core group of 22 had received.

"We can make all the plans we want in December but we have to accept the plans with each of the teams will change because things transpire.

Shand said the All Black coaches had been with the franchises regularly assessing the condition of the players, among other things.

"Even in Keven Mealamu's case - even though he's got through some pretty serious minutes - he's had some time off around the bye week."

But the Mealamu situation has not gone down well with everyone. The Crusaders, who are in a battle with the Blues for the top spot in the New Zealand Conference, are understood to be particularly miffed. They agreed to rest Kieran Read for the Highlanders game in Nelson last month and were caught short when Richie McCaw was a late withdrawal. The lack of experience in the pack has been pointed to as a contributing factor in their surprise loss.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said he did not want to comment on the specifics of the Blues' selection policy, but said he did not think there was any ambiguity in the instructions.

"All I can confirm is that we had two players in the All Black core group that they wanted to have some time away," Foster said.

Those players are Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu. Have the Chiefs followed through on that? "Yes."

While both have been injured at points this season, the key was allowing them to leave the camp altogether, to get away from rugby completely.