Rugby: McAlister back in control of Blues

Luke McAlister. Photo / Getty Images

The Blues have lost patience with backline director Stephen Brett as they search for some formula to reignite their run to the Super 15 playoffs.

Sometime All Black Luke McAlister is being primed to start at first five-eighths in Saturday's match against the Chiefs at Eden Park as the hosts resume after two losses followed by their bye.

McAlister is on the All Black selectors' radar as a utility backup for Daniel Carter but this will be only his third start for the Blues this season in the No 10 jersey. His versatility is helped by his goalkicking, where his season average hovers a shade above 75 per cent success.

The Blues' backline choices have been restricted lately because of injuries to senior backs Isaia Toeava and Benson Stanley and also McAlister who missed the Hurricanes match because of an ankle strain.

Through circumstance and achievement, Brett has started nine successive matches at first five-eighths. The selectors felt his navigation skills outweighed some of the more flighty parts of his game and that his organisation was an important component of their teamwork.

At times, coach Pat Lam and his staff wondered about continuing with Brett but usually a performance or injuries elsewhere tipped the balance in the five-eighths' favour. Successive defeats to the Reds and Stormers bit more into that belief though in the Blues last two matches.

During last week's bye, the Blues sifted their options and looked expectantly at their injury list. There was a reprieve.

Second five-eighths Stanley's return from injury has offered selection alternatives against the Chiefs and it appears he will be used in his regular role, pushing McAlister into first receiver and Brett into the reserves.

Prop Charlie Faumuina has recovered from his hamstring injury, played several club games and is being primed to bolster the front row resources with captain Keven Mealamu on the bench to satisfy his All Black rest requirements.

That will allow Tom McCartney to move into hooker, with Faumuina, John Afoa and Tevita Mailau to deal with the propping work.

There is no sign of All Black loosehead prop Tony Woodcock returning soon, in an absence which is growing more disconcerting for the Blues and the national selectors.

He was still in a moonboot this week to help repair ligaments he tore in his foot against the Rebels six weeks ago.

Openside flanker Daniel Braid has played some bit-part club rugby but is still not fully operational after suffering some disc trouble in his neck more than two months ago.

Chiefs coach Ian Foster is also dealing with injury problems as he waits for news on centre Richard Kahui and utility Tim Nanai-Williams. Kahui damaged his back in training this week and has improved with physiotherapy but is still not a certainty to recover.

Consistent prop Ben Afeaki is out with damaged ribs but Ben May and Nathan White are reported to be back at work as able replacements. Openside flanker Tanerau Latimer has also recovered from concussion and will start.