SUPER 14 - Blues up for big clash with Chiefs

THE Chiefs' much-vaunted backline will be a threat to the Blues progress in the Super-14 competition tomorrow but backs coach Shane Howarth said he expects his troops to fight fire with fire.
The Waikato-based side have recovered from their traditional poor start to the competition by winning their past two games, thanks in no small part to some individual brilliance in the backs.
"To be honest, the Chiefs have probably the best backline we've come up against so far this year, they've got some awesome strikepower and we're going to have to be clinical and accurate in what we do, both in defence and attack, if we're to win," Howarth said.
The Blues assistant coach said they hadn't spent any extra time on defence training this week but he had been careful to make sure that his instructions had been understood clearly.
"I spent some time making sure the guys knew what they were doing, that our lines were right and the communication is right, because we can't afford to go quiet against the Chiefs," he said.
Howarth, like the rest of the country, is expecting a close game at Waikato Stadium.
"You never expect anything different when you go down to Hamilton, it's a great stadium and they always have great support there, it's always a tough place for us to play.
"Leila Masaga is really putting his hand up, and there's not a bad guy on the other wing either [Sitiveni Sivivatu], but we're pretty happy with the combinations we've put together and we're not too bad with what we've got on the wings either ... so it should make for a good contest."
The Blues will start the game with Joe Rokocoko on one wing and Wellsford's Rene Ranger on the other but Howarth said Ranger won't be shown up by the company he is keeping.
"He's a great kid and a bit of a character and that's what you want.
"He just wants to play rugby and he's not too interested in intricate and complicated moves - he just wants the ball in his hand.
"He bring some good attributes to the game. He's incredibly strong and isn't too bad in the pace stakes either, so he's been a breath of fresh air for me and I've enjoyed helping him out."
Howarth said the Blues injury problems were a lot better than they had been in recent weeks.
Fullback Paul Williams is back in the side this weekend, while Tasesa Lavea (hamstring) is still a week away.
In the forwards, Tony Woodcock is still struggling with an ear infection, while Anthony Boric is the only other player in question as he recovers from an elbow injury.
Although the Blues have won more head-to-head matches (played 13, eight wins for the Blues, five for the Chiefs) the two sides are closely matched on the ledger and evenly matched when it comes to dotting down.
Since the start of Super rugby in 1996, the Chiefs have scored 311 points against the Blues, while the Blues have scored 315 against the Chiefs. Both teams have scored 33 tries against each other.
The teams for tomorrow night's game are:
BLUES: Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger, Anthony Tuitavake, Michael Hobbs, Joe Rokocoko, Jimmy Gopperth, Taniela Moa, Jerome Kaino, Justin Collins, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau/Charlie Faumuina, Anthony Boric/Jay Williams, Onosa'i Auva'a, Chris Smylie, Jamie Helleur, Paul Williams/Winston Stanley.
CHIEFS:
Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Callum Bruce, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki, Tanerau Latimer, Liam Messam, Kevin O'Neill, Craig Clarke, Ben May, Aled de Malmanche, Sona Taumalolo. Reserves: Hika Elliot, James McGougan, Toby Lynn, Serge Lilo, Toby Morland, Mike Delany, Dwayne Sweeney.