KEY POINTS:
The Sharks plan to sideline their favoured expansive approach and unleash their heavies on the Blues in Sunday's (NZ time) Super 14 rugby match in Durban.
Captain Johann Muller suggested the heat and humidity in the coastal city at this time of the year stiffled his team's natural
game and they would resort to percentage rugby.
"In our games at home so far I thought we've tried to play more than we should have and that's got us into trouble," Muller said.
"We've made peace with the fact that an expansive approach is not possible at this time of the year in Durban, and while that is a little frustrating considering the calibre of backs we have, we certainly don't see ourselves as a side that can just run the ball.
"Our pack is amongst the best in the competition, and we showed in our three games so far that we won't take a step back for anybody.
"The Blues will probably adopt a similar approach, so the stage is set for a huge battle in the forwards. But don't discount a looser game in the last quarter because both sides will only be able to curb their natural instincts for so long."
Both teams are unbeaten and Blues coach David Nucifora, who has made two changes to his backline after last weekend's match, said the game would allow his team to see where they were headed after four rounds of the competition.
He has given the powerful Anthony Tuitavake a chance on the wing and pulled Rudi Wulf away to the bench and replaced the injured Isa Nacewa with Ben Atiga at fullback.
Blues
Ben Atiga, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Nick Evans, Danny Lee, Nick Williams, Justin Collins, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Kven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Nick White, Anthony Boric, Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Taniela Moa, Rudi Wulf, George Pisi.
Sharks
Francois Steyn, Stefan Terblanche, Waylon Murray, Bradley Barritt, JP Pietersen, Frederic Michalak, Rory Kockott, Ryan Kankowski, Jacques Botes, Keegan Daniel, Johann Muller (captain), Albert van den Berg, BJ Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis.
Reserves: Craig Burden, Tendai Mtawarira, Steven Sykes, Jean Deysel, Charl Mcleod, Adrian Jacobs, Odwa Ndungane
- NZPA
