Sickness forces Blues reshuffle

Conjecture billowed around the Blues' decision to send halfback John Senio into a fraternal duel tomorrow against the unbeaten Crusaders.

Senio's inclusion to start his second Super 14 match against elder brother Kevin was the only change made to the Blues after they finally won last week.

The alteration was necessary, coach David Nucifora revealed, because Steve Devine had been troubled by a viral infection since the team returned from their victory against the Reds in Brisbane.

He had been unable to train, he was lethargic and the medical staff had sent him home to recuperate.

"He has had a lot of tests done, and we are not quite sure what it is," Nucifora said of his senior halfback's problem. "We did not think he was going to be right in time for the game, and with a big game like this you need people who are going to be 100 per cent fit."

Devine was one of the Blues players most under scrutiny for their places in tomorrow's fourth round match in Christchurch. He had played steadily, but there had been some disquiet about the lack of control and sting in his pairing with Tasesa Lavea.

However, Nucifora was cautious about making backline changes especially with Luke McAlister and Ben Atiga still on the injured roster.

"I don't think we want to become a team that panics and makes changes ad hoc. I think you have got to show confidence in the players, and I have got a lot of confidence in those boys who are going to run out."

Lavea had worn more criticism than his play warranted. He was not playing to the peak of his ability, but it also had to be remembered the Blues staff had asked him to play a different style of game against the Reds last week.

Lavea had adapted to that change, and he would benefit from that for this weekend.

There was no place for All Black loose forward Angus Macdonald in the starting trio, but he had been picked on the bench after recovering from his hamstring strain. Brent Ward was also fit again and would give goalkicking fullback depth from the bench.

The Crusaders yesterday withdrew Aaron Mauger because of his hamstring troubles, with Cameron McIntyre taking his place. Caleb Ralph has been shifted into centre from the wing to accommodate Scott Hamilton, with Casey Laulala dropped into the reserves.

Draft forward Bradley Mika has been picked instead of Ross Filipo at lock to test his talents against his old teammates.