Rugby: Blues unchanged for Stormers clash

Injured Blues prop John Afoa has been given until game day to prove his fitness. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Blues today named an unchanged line-up to face the Stormers in a Super 14 rugby match in Auckland on Saturday night.

Coach Pat Lam has retained all 22 players who took part in the 32-17 win over defending champions the Bulls at Eden Park last week.

"The boys are performing well and there is a lot of pressure from the guys below trying to get in there" he said.

"But everyone is working well and working hard and deserves to go out again."

However, there is a doubt over prop John Afoa, who suffered a back strain against the Bulls.

Afoa is being given until game day to prove his fitness.

Lam said another All Black prop, Tony Woodcock, who sat out against the Bulls with a neck problem, had improved and was a possibility to face the Western Force next week.

He also said the victory over the Bulls was over and done with and the players were focusing on the Stormers.

"It was a good performance but it's only four points," he said.

"We parked that game on Monday after the review and now we move on."

One link with match against the Bulls, however, was the desire for another strong forward effort.

"That's the plan," Lam said.

"If you have clarity of game plan and you have clarity of what you want to do, then it's up to the individual to bring that intensity and that's they were able to do."

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 (captain), Charlie Faumuina.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Luke McAlister, Paul Williams.


- NZPA