KEY POINTS:
Prop Tony Woodcock is the only one of four Blues in the All Blacks reconditioning rugby squad to make the starting 15 for the side's vital Super 14 clash with the Western Force this week.
Though all four have made the run-on side against various opponents since they
joined the second half of the competition, Woodcock is the only one retained for their most important fixture of the season.
Hooker Keven Mealamu, in last week's team that lost 19-40 to the Bulls, lost his place to Derren Witcombe while lock Ali Williams remains on the bench.
Winger Joe Rokocoko is on the outer for Friday night's match in Perth against the Force, who are coached by former All Blacks coach John Mitchell.
Witcombe is one of three changes to last week's team by coach David Nucifora who pinned his hopes on the players who helped the Blues reach top spot, before losing three consecutive matches.
Though the Blues are in third place, the tight race for the top four spots could mean they miss the semifinals altogether if they lose this weekend's final round-robin game.
"We have to win, that's the bottom line," Nucifora told NZPA today.
Witcombe and Mealamu will both be used on Friday, Nucifora said.
"This is a tactical decision. We wanted to look at ways to best utilise both Keven and Derren within the 80 minutes," he said.
As expected, Luke McAlister returns from injury and replaces Sam Tuitupou at midfield and Nick Williams returns to No 8, with Jerome Kaino moving from the back of the scrum to blindside flanker and Angus Macdonald out of the squad.
"Sam received a minor neck strain in the Bulls match and has returned to New Zealand. We are fortunate to have Luke back in the fold. He was playing extremely well prior to his injury," Nucifora said.
"Nick has been used at different times throughout the season in games he is particularly suited to.
"We feel his strength in this match will be a key factor and have moved Jerome to blindside."
Nucifora said his team trained well, as they did before the Bulls match and his team had only themselves to blame for not securing a playoff berth before they had left for South Africa, where they lost to the Stormers and Bulls.
"We are aware more than anybody how important this match is for us. We are very focused on delivering a winning performance -- that is all that we can control in this complex race for semifinal positions."
Blues: George Pisi, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Nick Williams, Daniel Braid, Jerome Kaino, Troy Flavell (captain), Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Nick White, Ali Williams, Justin Collins, Taniela Moa, Ben Atiga, Anthony Tuitavake.
- NZPA
