KEY POINTS:
The clash between the Blues and the Hurricanes tonight seems a decent trade-off for a scheduling oddity which offers a solitary Super 14 match in New Zealand this weekend.
While defence has become more prevalent in this competition, tonight's combatants seem to abandon some of that approach for
unlimited attack whenever they meet.
That may remain the best avenue for the Hurricanes as they are without five of their test forwards on All Black reconditioning duty.
The Blues have been working on mixing up their play, showing better defence and forward cohesion to flesh out their attacking prowess.
Coach David Nucifora wants more emphasis on assault tonight after the atrocious weather in Canberra destroyed that intent against the Brumbies.
But he will need a better scrum from the Blues and more discipline, the two areas where they have shown some flaws in their unbeaten start to the competition.
The Hurricanes have lost a huge chunk of their premier pack, but Neemia Tialata and John Schwalger are props who have touched up the visitors' scrum before and led a similar revival last week against the Chiefs.
"I was really rapt with our scrum last week," Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper said. "We put a lot of pressure on their ball and secured our own ball well.
"It was a step up from the Reds the week before and it needed to be. Sometimes you have to have losses to look at things in a bit more detail.
"Our lineout is going okay, and if we carry on getting good ball from set piece we will threaten any team."
If that detail pans out, the Blues' ambitions will be restricted and the Hurricanes' backline will be more prominent.
They showed their danger in the away win against the Chiefs, where they were fortunate to be gifted a number of opportunities.
If Ma'a Nonu and Tana Umaga get some decent possession they will ask questions of the Blues midfield defence which have not been asked this season. Take on some counter-attack from David Smith, Hosea Gear and Cory Jane, and it is clear the Blues cannot let the game lose its shape.
The Blues' discipline will also come under scrutiny.
Referee Jonathan Kaplan is back on duty after being especially harsh on them for most of the last match against the Brumbies.
Coach Nucifora has praised the improved composure from his squad this season and believes that was the crucial factor in the victory against the Brumbies.
But he wants his side to develop their attack tonight on top of their hang-tough attitude.
Rookie All Black Isaia Toeava has been restored to the side at centre after injury, and his duel with Umaga should be an absorbing tussle if the weather co-operates.
The Blues selections have been geared to adventure. Isa Nacewa has offered that thrust since he was preferred as first five-eighths, while Luke McAlister added a huge attacking alternative in his return against the Brumbies. It is up to the Blues pack to allow those talents to flourish.
Wellington, 7.35 tonight
Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Tana Umaga (c), Ma'a Nonu, David Smith, Jimmy, Gopperth, Alby Mathewson, Thomas Waldrom, Serge Lilo, Luke Andrews, Bernie Upton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Tone Kopelani, John Schwalger
Reserves: Mahonri Schwalger, Anthony Perenise, Bradley Mika, Nili Latu, Chris Smylie, Tamati Ellison, Shannon Paku.
Blues: George Pisi, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, A Tuitavake, Isa Nacewa, David Gibson, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Angus Macdonald, Troy, Flavell (c), Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, S Taumoepeau
Reserves: Chris Heard, Nick White, Anthony Boric, Justin Collins, Steve Devine, Sam Tuitupou, Ben Atiga.
