Lavea still in the frame for clash with Stormers

Tasesa Lavea

The Blues are optimistic that first five-eighths Tasesa Lavea will recover from his rib injury to play the Stormers on Sunday.

Lavea managed to train with the Blues when they arrived in Cape Town, although he has not been involved yet in any contact work.

The 24-year-old hurt his ribs early in last week's win against the Sharks and stayed on for a fair chunk of the match before conceding the pain was too much.

His chances of making the trip to South Africa appeared marginal, but he was cleared to travel.

Another who was in doubt, lock Greg Rawlinson, was able to train for some time in Cape Town, but like Lavea his availability will depend on an opposed practice session.

The Blues arrived to rain and cooler conditions in Cape Town where the local Stormers side is coming in for some serious flak.

The team were booed from Newlands after their 51-23 loss to the Crusaders, while coach Gert Smal needed the protection of security guards to escape disgruntled fans.

At the start of the competition the Stormers were being touted as the strongest squad in South Africa and capable of reaching the semifinals for the second successive season.

However, the playoffs are now out of reach.

Smal is likely to drop test centre Marius Joubert, but is hopeful other Springboks, Schalk Burger, Joe van Niekerk, Quinton Davids and Hanyani Shimange, will recover from injuries.

The Blues are just outside the top four with games to come against the Stormers and Bulls in South Africa, the Hurricanes at Eden Park and the Waratahs in Sydney.