Blues v Bulls
Eden Park, 5.30pm today
The blowtorch is on the Blues pack. And it is not only their coaching staff who are directing the heat for their game tonight against the front-running Bulls at Eden Park.
Visiting captain Victor Matfield has lit the challenging flame by pointing out that if his side can quell the impact from the Blues pack and slow their momentum, they will be en route towards keeping their unbeaten run in the Super 14 this season.
The Bulls had to guard the advantage line and impose a defensive dominance and if those twin doctrines were maintained, they would have a platform to push towards another victory.
"Everyone talks about their backs, but it's their pack that will be our main focal point. If you cut off circulation to any body part it eventually dies," Matfield told a South African website.
"That principle is the same in rugby against sides who have backlines that are as dangerous as the Blues."
The hosts' quest for forward equality lost some reputation this week when senior loosehead prop Tony Woodcock withdrew because of a neck problem. The Blues have had their set-piece battles this season, though, and Woodcock has not been in stellar scrum form.
In the only selection change, his place is taken by Charlie Faumuina, who is a serious lump of horsepower and showing signs he is getting to grips with the game at this level.
Lineout lapses have also hurt the Blues at crucial times this season and if ever they prayed for set-piece solidity, this would be the game to discover the remedy. Much will depend on the lineout delivery from skipper Keven Mealamu and the calling authority from Anthony Boric.
The scrum, like the mauling defence, as coach Pat Lam pointed out, needs to muscle up collectively.
Not that the Bulls scrum is potent. Serviceable but not dominant without the horsepower of Bakkies Botha from the second row. But reclaimed hooker Gary Botha has welded the front row tighter while his lineout throws to Matfield and the other skylab targets, is sharp.
Then there is the Bulls' rolling maul, an artform for drooling former forwards, an interlude for backs and a puzzle for most younger viewers and some officials. Ruling on methods of stopping progress this week falls to fellow South African Craig Joubert, which will bring a sharper edge to the contest.
"If you do it as a team, stay in the structure, it's definitely possible to stop," Blues coach Lam said. "If you try to stop it in ones and twos, you've got no hope."
If parity occurs in the packs and there will be extra doubt about the Blues loose forwards apart from the quality of Jerome Kaino, this game will rest on the decisions and moves of the backlines.
The visitors will take their keys from Fourie du Preez, the test halfback who brings a complete package of skill and picks the pulse of most matches.
He will set the agenda about when his side attacks and how.
The Blues will choose enterprise with decisions about how to attack, ball security and support play, the foundation for any success. They will need more from Joe Rokocoko while snipes from Alby Mathewson and Stephen Brett on the inside channels should free room for him and his colleagues on the fringes.
BLUES v BULLS
Blues
Isaia Toeava
Joe Rokocoko
Rene Ranger
Benson Stanley
Rudi Wulf
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Viliami Ma'afu
Serge Lilo
Jerome Kaino
Anthony Boric
Kurtis Haiu
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu (c)
Charlie Faumuina
Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Luke McAlister, Paul Williams.
Bulls
Zane Kirchner
G. van der Heever
Jaco Pretorius
Wynand Olivier
F. Hougaard
Morne Steyn
Fourie du Preez
Pierre Spies
Dewald Potgieter
Deon Stegmann
Victor Matfield (c)
Danie Rossouw
Werner Kruger
Gary Botha
G. Steenkamp
Reserves: Bandise Maku, Bees Roux, Flip van der Merwe, Derick Kuun/Jaco Engels, Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Pedrie Wannenburg.
