Rugby: Saili could be answer to Lam's prayers

Francis Saili. Photo / Dean Purcell

If the Blues align Francis Saili's infectious optimism to their work tonight, they could give the Highlanders a shake.

"Could" is the pivotal word, however, a bit like winning Lotto for the Blues. They have been so ordinary that several consecutive phases without a blemish is a surprise.

But when coach Pat Lam dipped into the alternate election pile this week he nabbed a huge amount of enthusiasm in the younger Saili, a midfield back and younger brother of the squad's No 8.

Francis Saili travelled to South Africa to answer an SOS way back in round four. He made his debut for 13 minutes off the bench against the Stormers but since then has been working with the development mob.

Tonight he will start at centre, staring across the Eden Park turf at Tamati Ellison who has served the Highlanders so well that he has been called into the All Blacks' wider training group.

"I'm stoked to be up against him," Saili said. "It's always the idea to play against guys who are big-name players in the game."

Saili's promotion meant he had to postpone his midweek PE exam, a decision he admitted was not too tough.

"I'm young [21], I've got a lot of aspirations and uni will always be there," he laughed.

Saili and hooker James Parsons are newer faces in the Blues' alternate XV, which will begin tonight with coach Lam choosing to bring most of his available All Blacks off the bench.

He reasoned they needed freshening after their national training camp and he will have Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu and Ali Williams on the leash on the bench.

The coach hopes his youngsters can soak up the start and hang in before he lets his main men into the fray. It is just another theory in a blotchy season but at least an idea with some freshness about it.

The Highlanders have not copied that scheme. They are still in the hunt for the Super 15 playoffs and have Ben Smith, Ellison, Adam Thomson and Andrew Hore starting from the national camp, with Aaron Smith the only one spelled to the pine.

Former All Black Jimmy Cowan will drive his forwards and demand action against the Blues in what is an occasional start for the experienced halfback.

Coach Jamie Joseph has made several alterations to his team, with Hoani MacDonald coming into lock and Nick Crosswell shifting to No 8 for the injured and hardworking Nasi Manu. Promising wing Siale Piutau is also injured and makes way for Kurt Baker while Chris Noakes has been asked to organise the backline instead of Mike Delany.

The Blues have reverted to the Alby Mathewson/Gareth Anscombe axis for their halfback/five-eighths guidance. It is a combination which has started three times this season for three mid-competition defeats against the Rebels, Sharks and Highlanders. They were all narrow losses but ones which continued the Blues downward slide.

After last week's massive hit against the Crusaders, Lam has cut half those who began that debacle. He has given many of his infrequent or developing players a chance, linked in with a few troopers like Tony Woodcock, Peter Saili and Mathewson.

Will it work? Who knows - but nothing else has worked this season.

Blues v Highlanders

Eden Park, 7.35 tonight

Hadleigh Parkes
David Raikuna
Francis Saili
Michael Hobbs
Sherwin Stowers
Gareth Anscombe
Alby Mathewson
P Saili/L Braid (c)
L Braid (c)/DBraid
Steven Luatua
Filo Paulo
Liaki Moli
Tevita Mailau
James Parsons
Tony Woodcock

Blues: Tom McCartney, Angus Ta'avao, Ali Williams, Daniel Braid / Peter Saili / Dan Pryor, Piri Weepu, Ma'a Nonu, Lachie Munro.

Ben Smith
Kurt Baker
Tamati Ellison
Phil Burleigh
Hosea Gear
Chris Noakes
Jimmy Cowan
Nick Crosswell
Tim Boys
Adam Thomson
Hoani MacDonald
Jarrad Hoeata
Ma'afu Fia
Andrew Hore
J Mackintosh (c)

Highlanders: Jason Rutledge, Bronson Murray, Josh Bekhuis, Scott Fuglistaller, Aaron Smith, Mike Delany, Kenny Lynn.