KEY POINTS:
Loss of momentum and complacency. Blues captain Troy Flavell identified those twin sporting evils as the greatest snags for his side to overcome tonight against the Waratahs.
Anyone suggesting Flavell was being unnecessarily pessimistic about his second-placed side hosting the second bottom team, need only look at some of the earlier results in this year's Super 14.
Debate is raging about whether the Blues are using the right tactics and whether Nucifora is being smart, thumbing his nose at Graham Henry's tactics by ignoring his returning All Blacks.
Here is the latest selection of your views:
Logan Devoy
Nucifora is clearly on the right track. That is evidenced by his teams position near the top of the table before the protected ABs have come back. The incumbents in the positions of the returning ABs are performing - and let us not forget that the Blues are still stacked with non-protected ABs (Flavell, Tuitupo, McAlsiter) so it is not exactly a team of no-names. There is still plenty of rugby to go to bed those returning guys in. They will all be there within the next three rounds.
Oceen Reed
If it aint broke dont fix it.If the Blues have a winning formula they should not change it because the All Blacks are coming back. I understand these are important for the All Blacks game, but they cant alter what the blues are doing just because they have come back. There were no complaints when they reconditoning. If the Blues were losing it would be a different story, the coach could justbring them back straight away. But they are winning and the All Blacks will have to earn their spot back.
Graham Hutton
Combinations are working for the Blues, to make radical changes is not always a good idea, with the slow reintroduction of rested players will mean a smoother transition. Others do not have the luxury of this and so will rush their players back.
Craig Johnston
The Blues are currently the form team in the competition along with the Sharks. They are about to play a team in the Waratahs that is completely void of any imagination and fight. I believe Nucifora is making the right decision. The current players deserve to be rewarded for the way they have played as a team. By bringing in the All Blacks it would be a kick in the face to all of the blues who have put their hands up. The All Blacks will get their chance against a stronger team. Also playing a couple of their returning All Blacks in club games will help get them used to the contact again and increase their match fitness so when they do get their chance they will be better for it. Go the Blues!
