Rugby: Lam confident Blues have heeded lessons

Blues coach Pat Lam has made one change for Friday’s match against the Highlanders. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Coach Pat Lam is confident the Blues will adapt better this week to the clampdown under changes to Super 14 refereeing interpretations.

The Auckland-based franchise face the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday night in a clash between two teams who came away from round one last weekend without a point.

The Blues were beaten 34-20 at home by the Hurricanes, who took full advantage of being awarded penalties in comfortable kicking distance to slot a competition record equalling nine penalty goals.

The match at Albany had kicked off the new season and Lam said he had been contacted by other teams who were glad they weren't first-up.

"They were quite thankful," he said.

"They learnt from us."

Lam said the penalties dished out by Australian Stuart Dickinson underscored that referees were taking a low-tolerance approach to the breakdown.

He said there was no common thread to the Blues' infringements, although none was for the tackler failing to release the ball carrier, a key area of focus under the changes.

"I think it was more the theme that they were going to come down harder and we were the first team to get it and certainly we don't want to do that every week."

Lam said many of the calls against the Blues could be debated, adding that referees were also getting to grips with the new interpretations, as borne out by a message from referee boss Lyndon Bray.

"You just have to look at the games themselves, not all of them were exactly the same," he said.

"The way they called the scrums, the timing was different. We've just had a message from Lyndon that they're still working on getting everyone as consistent as possible."

Lam has made one change to his starting 15 for the trip to Carisbrook.

Former Highlander Paul Williams comes in at fullback, having recovered from the head knock that led to his being named on the bench last week.

In a reshuffle, Rudi Wulf moves from fullback to the wing, taking over from Rene Ranger, who drops to the bench.

Lam has kept faith with first five-eighth Stephen Brett, who had a night of fluctuating fortunes against the Hurricanes.

The newly-recruited former Crusader scored one try and set up the Blues' other, before a couple of costly mistakes, including an intercepted cut-out pass, helped to change the momentum of the contest.

Lam had no concerns about whether the performance might have affected Brett's confidence.

"I thought for 55 minutes he was probably the best first five in the competition."

Lam pointed to plenty of positive aspects in the defeat to the Hurricanes, including the Blues' ability to score tries when they applied pressure.

"The physicality was good and the defence was good," he said.

"All in all, when we played to our structures, we looked dangerous."

Meanwhile, Lam said he was hopeful inside back Luke McAlister will be ready to enter the fray in about two weeks.

The All Black, who has missed the past two Super 14 seasons while playing for English club Sale, is being given time to get fully fit after niggling injuries interrupted his return the New Zealand rugby last year.

With Brett and former Hurricane Daniel Kirkpatrick the Blues' designated first five-eighths, Lam saw McAlister's position as "a 12 who can play 10".

"That's where I think most people see him and that's where he wants to play."

Blues
Paul Williams, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, Isaia Toeava, Benson Stanley, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Viliami Ma'afu, Serge Lilo, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Rene Ranger.

Highlanders
Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Jason Shoemark, Jayden Hayward, James Paterson, Michael Hobbs, Jimmy Cowan (captain), Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Adam Thomson, Tom Donnelly, Josh Bekhuis, Clint Newland, Jason Rutledge, Jamie Mackintosh.

Reserves: Jason Macdonald, Chris King, Hayden Triggs, John Hardie, Sean Romans, Robbie Robinson, Fetu'u Vainikolo.

- NZPA