KEY POINTS:
The Blues have once again ignored the bulk of their All Black talent to start Saturday's pivotal Super 14 duel with fellow semifinal hopefuls the Sharks.
Coach David Nucifora has resisted the chance to persevere with the reconditioned talents of Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams and Joe Rokocoko, preferring to use them from the bench in what should be a torrid contest at North Harbour Stadium.
The decision will provoke further debate about the obligations of Super 14 coaches to yield to the wishes of an All Black panel who have geared their entire programme towards the World Cup. The Blues' irregular selection of their renovated All Blacks is at odds with the policies of the other New Zealand squads.
However, Nucifora has guided the Blues to the series lead and remains convinced of the merits of his strategies in the final surge towards the playoffs. He cited performance and the need to manage players for the coming trip to South Africa and Perth as issues which contributed to his selection for the Sharks match.
"Match-hardened players are crucial for a game as important as this one and maintaining a strong bench for some firepower at the back end of the game continues to be a key element for us," Nucifora said yesterday.
Right wing record tryscorer Doug Howlett remains the only Blues back to have started each match, while three forwards, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid and John Afoa, have been picked for every match this season. Others, like the locking combination of Troy Flavell and Greg Rawlinson, Isa Nacewa, Isaia Toeava and Derren Witcombe, have missed only one start. But they all return for this match against the third-placed Sharks.
"I have been impressed with players consistently stepping up and delivering from week to week," Nucifora added.
"The men are working hard for their jerseys and that is a good place to be at this stage of the competition."
All Black loosehead prop Tony Woodcock starts his third match in succession in the absence of the injured Saimone Taumoepeau.
Anthony Tuitavake felt a twinge in a previously injured hamstring yesterday at training. The impressive Rudi Wulf replaced him while Rokocoko, whose comeback was restricted by an ankle injury, has been picked on the bench alongside other reconditioned colleagues Mealamu and Williams.
The Blues leave on Sunday for matches in South Africa against the Stormers and Bulls before ending their pool play against the Force in Perth.
"Travel time, recovery and strengths of our opponents all need to be factored into decisions made for team selection both now and in the weeks to come," Nucifora said.
"If the true quality of a side is revealed when on tour, then managing individuals carefully over the next few weeks is even more crucial."
Blues v Sharks
North Harbour Stadium, 7.35pm Saturday
15. Ben Atiga
14. Doug Howlett
13. Isaia Toeava
12. Sam Tuitupou
11. Rudi Wulf
10. Isa Nacewa
9. Steve Devine
8. Jerome Kaino
7. Daniel Braid
6. Angus Macdonald
5. Greg Rawlinson
4. Troy Flavell
3. John Afoa
2. Derren Witcombe
1. Tony Woodcock
Reserves
Keven Mealamu, Nick White, Ali Williams, Justin Collins, David Gibson, David Holwell, Joe Rokocoko.
