Blues grab hard at slim chance

Three wins on the bounce have put an extra spring in the Blues' step as they gear up for an improbable charge towards the playoffs.

A month back, they were written off as no-hopers to make the last four and it is testimony to the tightness of the competition that the Blues can be placed eighth and still harbour hopes - albeit slim - of making it.

"We've got ourselves back into a position where we know we are a chance," Blues coach David Nucifora said last night. "We've been improving each week and if we can keep that going we're a good chance of knocking the Sharks over."

Planning this week has been about preparing for an anticipated tough physical challenge from a South African side who have won three of their last four games after a horror early run. Indeed, the Sharks fancy that they, too, might somehow squeeze into the top four.

The last time the Sharks beat the Blues was 2002, but Nucifora does not have a superstitious bone in his body. "That's completely irrelevant. All that really counts is what happens here."

If it does transpire to be a match where physical presence is critical, the Blues will rue the absence of the injured Troy Flavell, who brought an undeniably forceful element to the pack. He is sidelined with a troubling shoulder injury.

Throw in the campaign-ending suspension for tough midfield back Rua Tipoki and it's been a disappointing week for the Blues.

But Nucifora isn't bemoaning his misfortune in losing two players who were having a strong impact on their revival, which has brought successive wins over the Bulls, Stormers and Force.

"We dealt with that before we left home.

"We've just had to move on. If you start worrying about things, they can set you back and distract from what's in front of you."

There is one personnel change in the backline but three positional adjustments from the team who eased past the Force last week. Doug Howlett is back on the wing; Anthony Tuitavake is at centre and the jack of all jobs Isa Nacewa moves into second five-eighths.

Two changes have been made to the pack, where Anthony Boric switches from lock to blindside flank, Ali Williams returns alongside Greg Rawlinson and in-form All Black loosehead Tony Woodcock is back after some bench time last week.

The Sharks have retained the pack which clobbered the Cats last week, while Ruan Pienaar and Tony Brown anchor a decent backline.

The Blues have reached that point of the campaign where there's no room for slipups.

Four five-point wins will take them to 42 points.

They must hope the Brumbies, fourth on 28 points, drop the ball against the Hurricanes tonight and the Bulls hit a pot hole.

They face the Cheetahs and Cats in the next fortnight and finish at home to the Chiefs.

"We're getting to where we want to be," Nucifora said. "We didn't get success on the scoreboard early and everyone started knocking us. But gradually we're building things within the team and a lot of those are starting to pay off."

The feeling persists that the finish line is coming up too fast for the Blues but while they win they have hope.

* English club Northampton Saints have added ex-All Blacks assistant coach and former Blues mentor Peter Sloane to their backroom staff ahead of the 2006/07 season.

Sloane will link up with former head coach Paul Grayson, the planet-rugby website reports.

Sloane, 57, worked alongside John Hart and former Northampton boss Wayne Smith with the All Blacks in 1998 and 1999.

Sloane coached the Blues in the Super 12 for four seasons before being replaced by Australian David Nucifora last year.

Sharks v Blues
Durban, 1am tomorrow

Sharks
P. Montgomery
Odwa Ndungane
Adrian Jacobs
Andries Strauss
Cedric Mkhize
Tony Brown
Ruan Pienaar
AJ Venter
Jacques Botes
Warren Britz
Johann Muller
J. Ackermann
BJ Botha
John Smit (c)
Deon Carstens
Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Heinke van der Merwe, Albert van den Berg, Keegan Daniel, Scott Mathie, Bradley Barritt, Brent Russell.

Blues
Brent Ward
Doug Howlett
A. Tuitavake
Isa Nacewa
Joe Rokocoko
Luke McAlister
John Senio
Nick Williams
Daniel Braid
Anthony Boric
Greg Rawlinson
John Afoa
K. Mealamu (c)
Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Tim Dow, Saimone Taumoepeau, Jerome Kaino, Onosai Tololima-Auva'a, Junior Poluleuligaga, Ben Atiga, V. Waqaseduadua

- additional reporting NZPA