Rugby: Blues eye chance with Brumbies

Halfback Alby Mathewson is delivering well for the Blues. Photo / Getty Images

The Blues have been on leave, but if they switched on the telly to watch the latest offering from their next foes, the Brumbies, they might have nodded off.

The Canberra clan kept the disjointed Sharks winless after five competition rounds on Saturday.

But while the victors could point to several continuing strengths in their game there were also many frustrating departments.

On the credit side, this was the Brumbies' fourth win, with the strongest statements coming from their set-piece leverage in the scrums and their lineout potency.

Away from those areas they were unsettled and will be waiting for reports about experienced centre Stirling Mortlock who was to have scans on a shoulder injury.

Coach Andy Friend lauded his scrum's domination in the 24-22 win and thought his team managed to increase the pressure when they tapped and ran free kicks.

But he, like captain Stephen Hoiles, accepted a great deal of revision is needed before they step out against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday.

"I think everyone's aware that to be serious contenders in this competition we need to improve," Hoiles said.

His all-Wallaby front row of Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore and Salesi Ma'afu will rock up for battle against an all-international Blues mob of Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu and John Afoa in what looms as a decent contest and one which marks Mealamu's 100th game for the franchise.

There should also be plenty of venom in the looseforward skirmishes with George Smith, Rocky Elsom and Hoiles suiting up against Jerome Kaino, Serge Lilo and perhaps Viliame Ma'afu.

Away from those forward scraps though, both sides have lacked fluidity.

The Blues hope centre Isaia Toeava will be fit after his hip injury while they might have further options if Luke McAlister convinces the selectors his fitness and a weekend club game have him primed for a Super 14 return.

While imported Blues first five-eighth Stephen Brett has started to find some rhythm with his game and his pairing with new halfback Alby Mathewson, the Brumbies are waiting for more impact from their test pairing of Josh Valentine and Matt Giteau.

Valentine has been lively after switching franchises from the Force, but Giteau has been no more than steady so far. He has lacked some spark with suggestions he has been hampered by a leg muscle problem.

But a backline which also includes test players Mortlock and Adam Ashley-Cooper has, like the Blues, lacked some cohesion.

When the Blues travelled to Canberra last year they held a slim lead at the break before they were smashed 37-15 by the Brumbies.

Mortlock scored a try as he also kicked his way past Andrew Mehrtens' record to become the highest points scorer in Super rugby.