KEY POINTS:
Isa Nacewa is running, he's confident but he's not made it past the selection line. Not yet. Not until the Blues medical staff check how the fullback recovered from yesterday's training and assess the logic of him playing against the Brumbies this weekend.
The Blues are anxious to
involve Nacewa, whose five-match absence with a knee injury has coincided with the side's faltering form leading to the limp defeat last week against the Waratahs. His recovery has been faster than anticipated but the staff are still being cautious about returning him to the Super 14.
So Nacewa has been bracketed with Ben Atiga at fullback in one change to the Blues following the patchy performance of George Pisi against the Waratahs.
The left wing vacancy caused by Joe Rokocoko's injury has gone to Rudi Wulf while Anthony Boric has replaced Kurtis Haiu at lock in the solitary change in the pack.
Coach David Nucifora said he might wait until tomorrow to see whether Nacewa was ready.
"He's a pretty good chance but we're not going to be taking undue risk so we will see how he pulls up. We want him to play, there's no doubt about that, but we've got to be sensible and not put him at too high a risk of re-injuring himself and putting himself out for a longer period."
The Blues have their bye after this game which offered a further two-week gap for Nacewa to strengthen and consolidate his recovery.
They then play the Crusaders and if possible, the staff would like Nacewa to get back into gear this week instead of resuming against the seriesfavourites.
"We also keep an eye on the competition and the points table and our opponents. There's a whole range of things that come into that decision," Nucifora added.
The coach rejected the notion that some of his side had been overplayed. The Super 14 was a sprint and he felt the selectors had managed the players carefully. The proof would be how they responded against the Brumbies.
"We're still sitting third so even though we're not happy with the way we've played we're still in a reasonably good position."
The Brumbies were humbled last week by the Chiefs and defeat this weekend may end their realistic hopes of challenging for the playoffs.
"They'll be throwing everything at us. I think this week has been more about us and getting our own house in order and that's certainly been our focus," Nucifora said.
Eden Park, Saturday 7.35pm
BLUES
I. Nacewa/B. Atiga
Anthony Tuitavake
Isaia Toeava
Benson Stanley
Rudi Wulf
Nick Evans
Danny Lee
Nick Williams
Daniel Braid
Jerome Kaino
Troy Flavell (c)
Anthony Boric
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu
Tony Woodcock
BRUMBIES
Mark Gerrard
A. Ashley-Cooper
S. Mortlock (c)
Tyrone Smith
Peter Playford
C. Lealiifano
Patrick Phibbs
Julian Salvi
George Smith
Mitchell Chapman
Mark Chisholm
Alister Campbell
Guy Shepherdson
Saia Faingaa
Nic Henderson
Blues: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Bryn Evans, Justin Collins, Taniela Moa, Ben Atiga/one to be named, David Smith.
Brumbies: John Ulugia, Salesi Ma'afu, Peter Kimlin, Jone Tawake, Josh Holmes, Matt Toomua, Francis Fainifo, Ben Alexander (one to be omitted).
