Force v Blues
Perth, tomorrow 12.05am
Comparisons will be inevitable as two of rugby's rogue talents, Luke McAlister and James O'Conner, lay down their teams' Super 15 fortunes tomorrow in Perth.
Neither was set in stone as the premium five-eighths for the Blues and Force this season, but circumstances have drawn both into that key role. The Blues want to snap their exasperating win-loss routine tomorrow at nib Stadium while the Force just want a victory after two defeats and a bye and a trip next week to South Africa.
McAlister's superb goalkicking, experience and extended fitness has pushed him into the No 10 jersey for the Blues ahead of their import Stephen Brett. Consistency has been an issue for both during their careers but McAlister has just nudged in front.
"For this week he is," coach Pat Lam answered when quizzed if McAlister was his first choice five-eighths. "He's got another chance in this position and it is over to him."
O'Connor is profiled more as an outside back, however injuries have pushed him into first receiver as the Force look to snap their losing start to the season.
The Blues have prepared their plans as if O'Connor will start again at five-eighths though they wonder whether he might have more of a roving commission.
The 20-year-old was an amazing player, an unconventional five-eighths and it was important the Blues shut down his space, Lam said.
"Yeah he shoots down the blind, for a young guy he looks and is strong in the tackle and gets those offloads away. He stands up flat and is a good playmaker so if you hold off him he can cut you wide open.
"He is certainly a big threat for us."
His opponent McAlister was experienced though and had been round the first class rugby scene for some time. He showed good touches last week and the Blues were looking for him to stack more on top of that tomorrow.
"We set Luke some clear goals, to achieve and he ticked those off," Lam said.
The Blues' culture and trust in each other had grown on tour and if each player completed their individual roles, then there would be better team production.
Force defence and skills coach Phil Blake has marvelled at O'Connor's talent bag and his ability to cope at such a young age.
"He is a footballer who covers a lot of positions, I love watching at training, he is good to coach, very responsive and football smart," Blake said. "It is a big job James has been given running our backline but when he slots in we do not miss a beat.
"It does change the dynamics a little because he has a different mindset about distribution, running and passing."
The Blues will need to cater for that threat, an all-test loose trio at the Force, even without David Pocock, and the time and temperature changes they have been subjected to this week.
While Lam's strategy of using a test quartet from the bench aided victory last round, he will need that venom from the start.
He has been publicly buoyant about the impact of Ali Williams but the Blues need more from him round the track and must hope the Chris Lowrey/Toby Morland axis knits at No 8/halfback.
Force
Cam Shepherd
Alfie Mafi
Nick Cummins
Gene Fairbanks
David Smith
James O'Connor
Brett Sheehan
Ben McCalman
Matt Hodgson
Richard Brown
Nathan Sharpe (c)
Sam Wykes
Tim Fairbrother
Ben Whittaker
Pek Cowan
Reserves: Nathan Charles, Matt Dunning, Tevita Metuisela, Jono Jenkins, James Stannard, Matt Brandon, Pat Dellit.
Blues
Isaia Toeava
Joe Rokocoko
Jared Payne
Benson Stanley
Rene Ranger
Luke McAlister
Toby Morland
Chris Lowrey
Daniel Braid
Jerome Kaino
Ali Williams
Anthony Boric
Charlie Faumuina
Keven Mealamu (c)
Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Tom McCartney, John Afoa, Kurtis Haiu, Luke Braid, Alby Mathewson, Stephen Brett, Sherwin Stowers.
