Blues' inspiration relies on cliches

At this late stage of another uninspiring Blues campaign, the struggle is showing.

All they can muster is hackneyed talk about pride, determination and credibility for tomorrow's match in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs.

There is little else other than outlasting the Highlanders in the slog to avoid being the bottom-placed New Zealand side in the initial Super 14 series.

After last week's ragged 32-15 loss to the Sharks, there has been minimal selection change. Rather than being a chance for redemption it seems to be a sign that when they fail, the Blues have few alternatives.

The tight five is asked to front up again, and there must be concerns about the impact of their workload on their international duties or aspirations.

In one change at halfback Junior Poluleuligaga gets the chance to show that the speed of his pass can give the backline some space.

Of more significance is the reintroduction of Jerome Kaino.

The 23-year-old loose forward has been recovering from shoulder surgery this season and was a welcome late addition for the tour when Angus Macdonald and Troy Flavell were injured.

Kaino has been in the All Black selectors' sights since he made the 2004 tour to Europe. With those men picking extended squads soon, there will be a deal of interest in Kaino's contribution tomorrow.

Blues manager Ant Strachan told NZPA that the Blues were determined to get back into winning mode.

"We need to prove to ourselves that we learned a few lessons from last weekend," he said. "And that we can compete up front against some of these big South African packs and provide enough of a platform for our backs."

The Sharks used their pack to inflict most of the damage round the fringes last week, a tactic likely to encourage the Cheetahs to attempt something similar.

Both teams are in the bottom half of the table.


Blues v Cheetahs
Bloemfontein, 1am tomorrow

Cheetahs
Bevin Fortuin
Giscard Pieters
Ronnie Cooke
Keith Lowen
Gaffie du Toit
Willem de Waal
Falie Oelschig
Rvan der Merwe (c)
Ben Vermaak
Kabamba Floors
Barend Pieterse
Corniel van Zyl
Jannie du Plessis
Tiaan Liebenberg
Wian du Preez
Reserves: Ollie le Roux, Os du Randt, Hendro Scholtz, Gareth Krause, Michael Claassens, Meyer Bosman, Eddie FredericksLUES

Blues
Brent Ward
Doug Howlett
A Tuitavake
Isa Nacewa
Joe Rokocoko
Luke McAlister
Jr Poluleuligaga
Nick Williams
Daniel Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Greg Rawlinson
John Afoa
KMealamu (c)
Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Tim Dow, Saimone Taumoepeau, Anthony Boric, Onosai'i Tololima-Auava'a, John Senio, Ben Atiga, George Pisi.