KEY POINTS:
David Holwell was hired as the man to provide the guiding hand, but the play-making duties with the Blues Super 14 team may yet land in the lap of a multi- talented rugby whizz- kid called Isa Nacewa.
Nacewa will step into the No. 10 jersey for the Blues when they play their last trial game in Rotorua tonight and it seems as if the 24-year-old Fijian is poised to assume the starting role ahead of Holwell, the veteran Northlander, if he produces the goods.
Blues coach David Nucifora signalled as much, saying they had invested considerable training time to shaping Nacewa's skills at first five-eighths. Nacewa's pace and elusive running skills might give him the edge over the more dependable traits Holwell brings to the game.
"He (Nacewa) is able to do anything we ask of him, but he is certainly a prime contender for the No. 10 jersey in the opening games," Nucifora said.
"He can switch between positions, I mean we started him on the wing (against the Reds) last week, but we want to look at him in that No. 10 role," he said.
"It is all about what suits us best for the opening championship game against the Crusaders, that's very much in our minds."
Holwell will get game time from the bench tonight, Nucifora said, and the performance of the Blues backline will come under some close scrutiny from the coaching staff as they compare the two contrasting styles.
But even if Nacewa gets the nod for the opening game of the Blues Super 14 campaign, Nucifora said Holwell will have a big role to play throughout the season.
"I hate to fix anything solid for the year because things happen with injury and you have got to be able to adjust," he said.
"But we have certainly put a lot of time in Nacewa at No. 10, he hasn't played much rugby there and needs some development. He's different in style and contrast for the No. 10 jersey with Holwell."
Nacewa has already showed his versatility playing in every backline position except halfback in his career with the Blues to date. He first got a taste of "Super Rugby" in 2003 when he toured with the squad to South Africa, and later that year was part of the Fijian squad for the World Cup.
But while his bid for the first five-eighths starting spot is crucial, it is just one of many positional battles on the line tonight.
Nick Williams comes back from a hamstring injury for a start at No. 8, Angus Mcdonald is vying with Justin Collins for the No. 6 jersey and James Somerset gets a chance on the wing.
The Chiefs are also doing the selection juggle, naming rookie prop Craig West and experienced winger Anthony Tahana to start, both of whom are coming off pre-season injuries.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster has opted to start Stephen Donald at first five-eighths, alongside Tane Tuipulotu, with Niva Ta'auso at centre. Midfield back Richard Kahui, who injured his right shoulder against the Hurricanes, was unavailable.
The game will be played at the Rotorua International Stadium starting at 7pm tonight.
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (Whagarei)
