Brumbies paint target on Blues coach

David Nucifora

The Brumbies haven't been slow in pinpointing former coach David Nucifora as motivation for Saturday's Super 14 match against the Blues in Auckland.

Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher took a subtle dig at his predecessor Nucifora, who is now the Blues coach.

Nucifora left the Canberra franchise despite guiding them to Super 12 victory in 2004. He was told months earlier by Brumbies management he was no longer required.

Nucifora was assistant coach of the Blues last year when they beat the Brumbies, something not forgotten by Fisher.

"I think the guys would certainly like to win for a number of reasons," Fisher told the Australian newspaper. "I guess we would like to get one over Nussy (Nucifora).

"He got one over us. We'd like to get one over him ... in a nice way. Natural competitiveness."

The unbeaten Brumbies are third on the Super 14 standings and the Blues are 12th with one win from four matches.

Fisher said the Blues would be disappointed with their start.

"They haven't played well in any game this year. They haven't played well for 80 minutes. They've played well in patches.

"It is probably a make or break game for them."

The Blues have been criticised for not employing the game-breaking skills of wingers Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett, a point Fisher was keen to push.

"They probably haven't been as adventurous out wide and on counter attack," he said.

"Maybe that's because they haven't got Mils Muliaina (who joined the Chiefs).

"They really haven't used Rokocoko and Howlett and the pace they've got on the edges.

"They may decide Saturday is the day to have a genuine crack."

The Brumbies will be without Wallabies second five-eighths Matt Giteau, who is on national sevens duty at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

- NZPA