Rugby: McAlister is relegated to bench

Luke McAlister. Photo / Getty Images

Happenstance, circumstance, or shoulders to the World Cup grindstone?

Take what theory you like and apply it to the Blues' decision to bench Luke McAlister for tomorrow's Super 15 match with the Rebels.

The former All Black started the season as an alternate pivot to Stephen Brett but then shifted out a spot to offer dual backline direction when Benson Stanley was injured.

That combination has grown steadily in the last four matches as the Blues have pushed on.

But for tomorrow's match at North Harbour Stadium, Blues coach Pat Lam has reverted to his original inside back combination with McAlister on the bench.

If everything goes well for the Blues, it sounds as if Brett and McAlister will job share the No 10 portfolio.

That looks like a mini-All Black trial within the game, a peep into possibilities when the test programme unfolds later in the year.

It was also a chance, said Lam, to give McAlister a small spell.

"When you are making these decisions, you have got an All Black in Benson Stanley who lost his place through injury really," he said.

"He has been a strong contributor in our team and when you have a six-day turnaround this is a good game to bring him back in."

Brett and McAlister had combined strongly and if all went well, this was a chance for both to run the game.

In a week when Colin Slade broke his jaw for a second time and other five-eighths are struggling with injury or form, Brett and McAlister loom as potential international deputies for Daniel Carter.

McAlister has some history of that, Brett has been knocking on the door without yet being heard.

The change for the Rebels brings Stanley's defensive clout into the frame where he will be organising or dealing with some of the thrust former Wallaby Stirling Mortlock will deliver.

Stanley also offers a left-foot kicking option alongside Brett and, along with Isaia Toeava, directs much of the backline alignment.

The Blues have recalled lock Ali Williams, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and test prop Tony Woodcock, who had a calf problem.

They have also given halfback Toby Morland another chance from the bench.

"Mentally he is in great shape," Lam said of Williams. "He has done all the tests and given the medical staff confidence he is ready. It is good timing for us, too, with Kurtis [Haiu] going down."

The Blues had done a great deal of work this season to iron out their performance kinks. They had been annoyed and exasperated by form fluctuations and worked hard to level out their production.

"We have done a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure we don't have any banana skins this year," said Lam.

The Blues hoped to have Daniel Braid back training next week but, in the meantime, his younger brother Luke had shown he was a strong openside understudy.

Albany, 7.35pm tomorrow

BLUES
Isaia Toeava
Joe Rokocoko
Jared Payne
Benson Stanley
Rene Ranger
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Peter Saili
Luke Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Anthony Boric
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu (c)
Tony Woodcock

REBELS
Julian Huxley
Lachlan Mitchell
Mark Gerrard
S. Mortlock (c)
Cooper Vuna
Danny Cipriani
Nick Phipps
Gareth Delve
Michael Lipman
Jarrod Saffy
Hugh Pyle
Alister Campbell
Greg Somerville
Ged Robinson
Rodney Blake

Blues: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Filo Paulo, Chris Lowrey, Toby Morland, Luke McAlister, Lachie Munro.

Rebels: Heath Tessman, Laurie Weeks, Hoani Macdonald, Tim Davidson, Richard Kingi, James Hilgendorf, Luke Rooney.