Tony Woodcock may not play for the Blues against the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images
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Blues loosehead prop Tony Woodcock, who is rated near the world's best, has been lowered by earache and remains in doubt for Saturday's local derby against the Chiefs.
Woodcock missed his side's latest Super 14 victory against the Cheetahs when he woke on the day of the match with an
ear infection. He was replaced by Tevita Mailau who was solid in the Blues 46-12 victory.
The 28-year-old Woodcock has not trained since but coach Pat Lam is hoping that rest will allow the experienced test frontrower to show up for training and team selection tomorrow.
"We just don't know," Lam said. "It has been a bit of a nasty one, he was throwing up and we have been told the recovery could take a couple of days or maybe up to seven or 10 days. He has never had it before and it has been affecting his balance."
Several other squad members, Anthony Boric, Paul Williams and Tasesa Lavea, have been on light duties this week as they continue their recovery from injury. They will be assessed tomorrow before the side is confirmed.
The intrigue will be whether Lam retains the promising Michael Hobbs who has made a sharp start in midfield or reverts to the stronger defensive clout from Jamie Helleur. Captain Keven Mealamu will play his 99th game of Super rugby against the side which revived his career in 2002.
Wing Rudi Wulf is targeting a return to action from his broken arm when the Blues meet the Lions after their bye in round eight. Wulf is the only member of the original 28-strong group who has not been involved in any match so far.
"They're all going to be needed with what happens from week to week and it is good to know they have all had a taste and understand what it is about. But there will come a point besides Benson [Stanley who is out for the season] when they will all be on deck and that is when the real headaches begin," Lam said.
The Chiefs have produced familiar results so far. They started slowly but have started to build some momentum towards the middle of the series.
"They've had a couple of scrappy games they have won and then, my goodness, they come hard and I suppose one of the things is there is one game these guys build up for and that is the Blues, we know that.
"The form or the table goes out the window - it is just Blues-Chiefs."
Preparation would be all about emphasising teamwork and making sure there was a collective purpose otherwise it could be a "nightmare". Everyone had to be on the same page - they would need to be far more accurate and concentrated than they were against the Cheetahs.
"Otherwise when you look at some of their danger players they will make you pay for it."
