Rugby: Lam looks to nurse sore team

Auckland Blues coach Pat Lam ponders the likelihood of finding 22 fit players for Saturday. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Blues rugby coach Pat Lam is doing his best to nurse his players through the last week of the Super 14 competition.

Lam has cancelled today's scheduled training session as he looks to keep his bruised and battered squad on their feet for the last match of the regular season, against the Crusaders in Auckland on Saturday.

The Blues, in ninth place on 31 points, cannot challenge for a semifinals place and Lam sees no point in flogging a dead horse.

"With the number of players we have out injured and others carrying a few niggles, it is not worth the risk, nor is it sensible to train tomorrow," Lam said yesterday. "I would rather give the guys some more recovery time and we will train later in the week.

"If we are to be competitive against the Crusaders this weekend - which we fully intend to be - then this is the right call to make."

Like some other teams, the Blues have suffered a horrendous injury toll this season.

No fewer than 13 of their players remain unavailable: Ali Williams (Achilles tendon), Anthony Boric (broken toe), Chris Lowrey (knee), Onosai Auva'a (stress fracture), Benson Stanley (torn hamstring), Taniela Moa (calf), Tasesa Lavea (hamstring), Michael Hobbs (stitches in mouth), Rene Ranger (hamstring), Anthony Tuitavake (hamstring), Chris Smylie (hamstring), Justin Collins (concussion) and Josh Blackie (knee).

- NZPA