McAlister thrown in at deep end

Utility Luke McAlister will have to direct the Blues backline as a repeat five-eighths injury crisis has hit the side for their campaign in South Africa.

The 22-year-old McAlister dazzled in his Super 12 debut in the Republic last year when he was a late replacement for the injured Tasesa Lavea and Carlos Spencer, who was on paternity leave.

McAlister is guarding a broken nose but is the least damaged of the trio this season as the Blues travel today for matches against the Stormers, then the Bulls.

Fitness checks took some time yesterday for the Blues as they went through a lengthening medical rollcall.

Lavea was the latest casualty, his ribs sore and dented during the 36-13 victory on Saturday. McAlister broke his nose during the match. Both were declared fit yesterday, though Lavea will struggle to be available for the first game away.

"We were tempted to leave him behind, to be ready when we get back, but the medical staff are confident he will come right," coach Peter Sloane said.

"He was also pretty firm that he did not want to miss this trip after last year."

The day before Lavea and McAlister were damaged, Spencer had surgery to plate his cheekbone, broken in a training accident.

Joining Spencer as non-travellers were halfback David Gibson, prop Taufa'ao Filise, the suspended Ali Williams and Rudi Wulf and Tom Harding were not required.

Lock Greg Rawlinson ran for 20 minutes to test his injured knee and received a clearance to travel, as did another utility forward, Angus Macdonald, who had been favouring his achilles tendon.

There is little chance Rawlinson will play this week but Chresten Davis has stayed with the squad as cover.

Reserve hooker Derren Witcombe has overcome his sprained ankle, and the coach said loosehead prop Tony Woodcock was not concerned about a wrist problem he suffered against the Sharks.

Midfielder Sam Tuitupou has recovered from his hamstring strain and will contest the second five-eighths job with Rua Tipoki.

"It was great to get a result this weekend and we are all looking at getting away and doing a good job," Sloane said.

"We have not been concentrating on the points table. All our focus is on the Stormers first up at Cape Town."