Rugby: Blues' seasoned tight five key to taming the Chiefs

Pat Lam. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Prising the admission from Blues coach Pat Lam takes time but eventually he accepts his tight five hold the passport to success tomorrow against the Chiefs.

These Blues have accumulated 409 appearances between them in the Super 15 with Anthony Boric the last to reach his 50th cap tomorrow at Waikato Stadium after escaping a serious knee injury last round.

The Blues quintet have played 207 tests between them with just lock Kurtis Haiu uncapped, while the Chiefs tight five have just 10 test matches and 187 Super games experience between them.

"If we front then we will give ourselves a chance," Lam agreed.

"That tight five and our pack, we know the Chiefs can struggle at times in the set piece through other games but this is like their best game of the year against the Blues.

"The key is if we have got a motivated Blues forward pack, then we have a good chance and the experience should kick in."

All that stimulus should be with the Blues after the way Lam sliced his side for their last outing against the Hurricanes. They still have that bunsen burner under their hides. Any drop in form will have further selection consequences.

"We have been up and down and this is a massive game for us," Lam added, "for us to get rid of the monkey on our back as some people say."

The Blues have made one change with Joe Rokocoko getting a reprieve after Sherwin Stowers' modest match last week and Daniel Braid was not considered because of a neck problem.

"He has still got some way to go," Lam said of his senior wing. "But this is a big opportunity for him to take."

Rokocoko may be the most capped All Black wing and have played 83 games for the Blues but those credentials have not cut it at selection meetings. Lam has taken a tougher stance since the grisly draw against the Force.

"This is my third year and I have said this is the year to move and we have to move, we have to get going," the coach said. "If the players don't step up there will be consequences, otherwise we end up with the same stuff we have had over the years."

Since Lam took over at the start of 2009, the Blues have recorded 15 wins, a draw and 15 defeats.

They were responding and showed that against the Hurricanes but the challenge was to be prepared and to deliver against the Chiefs who had shown some serious resolve to deliver the Sharks their first loss of the season.

"Otherwise we are up and down, up and down. We all need to front."