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DURBAN - Staying cool under a hot Durban sun and in the face of a frenzied Sharks side is the key to winning tomorrow morning's (NZT) Super 14 rugby semifinal according to Blues coach David Nucifora.
The Blues have appeared noticeably more relaxed than the hosts this week, surprising considering it is their fourth consecutive week on the road and the drama surrounding sent-home lock Ali Williams.
Yet they have appeared upbeat and a light-spirited Nucifora has been happy to address the media on numerous occasions while the Sharks disappeared behind closed doors from Tuesday onwards.
"It's been nice preparing here this week. You feel like you're a little bit under the radar, there's not as much pressure on you being away from home," Nucifora said.
"The expectation is certainly with the Sharks for this game and fair enough too, they've been a consistent side all year and we know we've got a big battle on our hands on Saturday.
"You can make the mistake leading into big games like this of getting too worked up and playing the game before kickoff. Hopefully we've got the timing right."
For one of the few times this year, the Blues carry the underdog tag into a game. Nucifora had no qualms adopting that role.
"You don't do a few laps of the world and then turn up against the team who finished on top and start the game as favourites. I think we're far from that."
If the Sharks thought they could keep expectation at bay this week they would have been disappointed to pick up Durban's The Mercury newspaper, where stories on the match covered the front and back pages.
"Never in their 117-year history have the Sharks been playing for a bigger reward," wrote Mike Greenaway.
"It will be the biggest non-test match this country has seen. It could be argued it is bigger than many a test match."
The Blues will hope that sort of pressure impacts on a Sharks starting 15 that features five players aged 21 or under. That includes midfield backs Bradley Barritt and Waylon Murray and wingers Francois Steyn and JP Pietersen.
Those backs have mixed brilliance with mistakes this year and their temperament may come under question if a Blues backline laced with outstanding runners is given room to move.
Much will depend on how the Blues forwards stand up against arguably the form pack of the competition.
"We've got some players throughout our team who have played a lot of big games of international football," Nucifora said.
"It's a matter of whether all of our team are up to keeping a cool head for 80 minutes."
The Sharks believe the composure they showed when the teams met in a heated clash at Albany a month ago would hold them in good stead.
That game, won 32-25 by the Sharks, shaped the final standings more than any other and captain John Smit believed it was a season turning point.
"We rose to the occasion, it was a game that revealed that our young players had come of age," Smit said.
"There were so many mitigating factors but the Sharks came through strongly. It was one hell of a game that either side could have won."
The Blues will take heart from their finish after trailing 6-26 soon after halftime. They fought back and created some quality tries compared to the Sharks' early opportunist efforts.
Meanwhile, Nucifora was content that his players, who undertook a walk around Absa Stadium today, had prepared in a far better way than when they were in South Africa last month -- a short tour that resulted in losses to the Stormers and Bulls.
- NZPA
