Blues squad close to fighting fit

Blues player Isa Nacewa wipes out in the surf. Picture / Dean Purcell

The Blues are crossing fingers that they will go into this year's Super 12 with a fully fit squad.

In stark contrast to their neighbours the Chiefs, the Blues are in almost rude good health with their first trial game a month away.

Halfback Steve Devine (knee) and hooker Derren Witcombe (shoulder) are back in training after operations. Devine is taking part in full contact, and Witcombe is expected to be ready for full duties in a fortnight.

Under the New Zealand Rugby Union edict, the All Blacks will re-join their franchises on February 1. The Blues have nine players in that category who were absent from this week's four-day camp on Great Barrier Island.

The Blues' preparation has differed this year, with the squad going to the island camp instead of playing in the southern cross series across the Tasman. "It might be an advantage not playing in the southern cross tournament," said manager Ant Strachan yesterday.

"It's always very hot in Australia and there is quite a bit of travel in buses etc which can take it out of you at this time of year."

The Blues play the Hurricanes in Hastings on February 11 and the Waratahs in Whangarei a week later before their opening Super 12 match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs have targeted the April 1 clash against the Hurricanes in round six as the possible return date for injured stars Keith Robinson, Tom Willis and Sitiveni Sivivatu.

The loss of those three for the first half of the competition has lengthened the odds of the Chiefs making a second successive semifinal appearance.

Lock Robinson (knee and back), hooker Willis (back) and wing Sivivatu (shoulder) had operations. Scott Linklater will cover for Willis in the specialist hooker position.

The Chiefs have trial matches against the Hurricanes in Pukekohe, Brumbies in Canberra and Highlanders in Rotorua next month.