Rugby: Blues call on Counties lock to help solve crisis

Counties lock Andrew van der Heijden has been drafted into the Blues squad. Photo / Getty Images

Andrew van der Heijden has been called into the Blues squad in case their locking problems deteriorate before they leave today for their next Super 14 match with the Brumbies.

The Blues have lost their test locks Ali Williams and Anthony Boric for the rest of the tournament and there is some concern about Jay Williams, who has been struggling with an ankle injury suffered in last week's loss to the Hurricanes.

The 2m, 115kg van der Heijden played 42 games for Counties Manukau and was the province's player of the year before he transferred to Auckland this year and was called into Blues training this week as the squad's injury crisis worsened.

Coach Pat Lam and the Blues' medical staff will decide on Williams' fitness and that of form wing Rene Ranger, who has been treating a slight hamstring strain, after the side's final training session before the trip to Canberra.

Ranger has had a busy week, having to return to the capital after the Blues' latest defeat to face New Zealand Rugby Union general manager Neil Sorensen at a misconduct hearing.

The 22-year-old Ranger was charged by police with assault and is being considered for diversion after an incident at Matakana last month.

Sorensen said the Blues wing accepted that his behaviour amounted to serious misconduct, had apologised and paid the other person compensation. Ranger served a one-game ban, has been warned about similar misconduct and has been directed by the NZRU to complete an alcohol counselling programme.

Experienced flanker Justin Collins has recovered from concussion and will help out the dwindling loose forward resources and allow Kurtis Haiu to return to lock, where he has spent most of this season.

There is also optimism that test tighthead John Afoa will return to the side for a match the Blues must win with a bonus point if they are to continue their slim hopes of making the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Brumbies coach Andy Friend has picked Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback to replace the injured Mark Gerrard and kept Wallaby skipper Stirling Mortlock on the wing for the third time this season.

Friend revealed that he had spoken to Wallabies supremo Robbie Deans several times about switching positions for Mortlock and there were no issues for the national coach or captain.

"There's been a lot of talk about Stirling not playing his 13 position but I had a good chat to him about it yesterday, we've spoken to Robbie about it, everyone's fine with that."