Rugby: All Black front row star 50-50 chance

Tony Woodcock's virus has him in doubt for the Blues-Chiefs match in Hamilton. Photo / Getty Images

Senior Blues prop Tony Woodcock will front today but his selection for the neighbourhood knuckle against the Chiefs remains uncertain.

Woodcock has been stricken by a viral infection which has affected his balance although team doctor Stephen Kara said the front rower was improving and a full recovery could be rapid.

An examination today will decide whether he takes his place in the team.

Loose forwards Jerome Kaino and Justin Collins bypassed parts of training to rest leg strains but are expected to be fully prepared for tomorrow's match in Hamilton. Coach Pat Lam named an unchanged side although Tevita Mailau seems likely to start in the front row instead of Woodcock.

The Chiefs have reclaimed all their potent artillery - Sitiveni Sivivatu, Brendon Leonard and Sione Lauaki - and slotted Callum Bruce into the midfield for the winter code's response to the test cricket down the road.

Captain Mils Muliaina said it had been a big week and he was confident his side could reverse the last two results against the Blues.

The visitors had an array of strike weapons who had to be detained and he noted that Ali Williams was also playing much wider.

Matchups during the game were intriguing, none more so than that between Joe Rokocoko and Lelia Masaga.

Masaga had worked hard on fixing small parts of his game especially on defence and still needed time to mature.

"I have seen the evidence he can go all the way and wear the All Black jersey especially on attack," Muliaina said.

Lam said form was largely irrelevant for this clash, which would be more about attitude, concentration and dealing best with the occasion.

"There's no form book, there's no table, it's just Blues and Chiefs," he said. "We're expecting quite a fiery start and a lot of passion.

"We have to ensure we go down there collectively as a team. If we go there as individuals, we'll get blown off the park."

Similar sentiments were coming from Chiefs coach Ian Foster as he surveyed his side, which has recovered their winning ways after three defeats to start their Super 14 campaign.

"We are pleased with our progress to date and look forward to testing ourselves against a Blues team that has just come off a good win," he said.

"We're starting to show growth in key facets of our game and now need to build concentration over a full 80 minutes.

"We are still seeking more consistency, particularly going into a New Zealand derby, which are generally tight, hard-fought games, just like we have experienced already this season against the Crusaders and Highlanders."

The Blues would have banked on Woodcock leading an entire All Black front row on a searching exam of the Chiefs scrum.

That unit has improved since some visits from national guru Mike Cron but the Blues have one of the best combos in the competition.

Woodcock is a key to that impetus but he did not attend training yesterday and the team doctor rated him only a 50-50 chance of making a start at Waikato Stadium.

He had visited Woodcock during the week and the test prop was still struggling with his ear infection which made him feel like he was walking on a rocking boat. Lam has spoken to the prop who is keen to play but needs to be fully fit.

The Chiefs have also taken a keen interest in Woodcock's recovery. Hooker Aled de Malmanche noted that if Woodcock played, they had devised plans to deal with the best loosehead in the world and get their own ball.

The Chiefs have improved their scrummaging after a Cron visit found they were working too much as individuals rather than as a unit.

Lam has continued down the cautious road he is taking with his players by picking Anthony Boric and Paul Williams in the reserves, after their injuries, while Tasesa Lavea is also recovering strongly.