KEY POINTS:
Indiscipline has relegated All Black lock Ali Williams to the subs bench, while test wing Joe Rokocoko has missed selection altogether for the Blues' last pool game in South Africa.
Coach David Nucifora has spun the selection wheel strongly, making six changes and one positional switch after his side's "worst of the season'' performance last round in losing to the Stormers.
His harshest reaction was directed at Williams and Rokocoko after their lacklustre return to the side. They had not delivered like their international teammates Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock.
Lapses in form and discipline from Williams counted against retaining the lock for Saturday's game against the Bulls in Pretoria.
"I think it should be reasonably obvious that those sorts of things [discipline] all count,'' said Nucifora.
"That was an issue, and Ali is aware of that... Meanwhile Greg's [Rawlinson] form and Troy's [Flavell] form - that has sorted them out now into a bit of a pecking order.
"Ali will get time again but he was disappointed with his performance last week because those string of penalties put us under a lot of pressure, and we can't afford that this week."
Rokocoko's quality had been mediocre in his comeback match after an ankle injury had delayed his return from the All Blacks reconditioning programme.
"I don't think Joe had a great game last week. I think that was fairly evident," Nucifora said.
"Rudi [Wulf] and Doug [Howlett] at the moment are clearly the best wingers in the side. Anthony [Tuitavake] is coming back from injury and is almost there, but not quite, although he covers more positions from the bench."
The central axis of the team has been totally reshaped with Jerome Kaino shifting from blindside flanker to the back of the scrum, Steve Devine in at halfback and Isa Nacewa at first five-eighths.
The side's other halfback, David Gibson, has returned home - and been replaced by Taniela Moa - after straining a ligament in his neck. However, there is some optimism he and midfielder Luke McAlister will both front in Perth next week for the side's final pool match.
Mental preparation has been emphasised this week as the Blues look to achieve just the second win in South Africa this season for a New Zealand side.
Blues v Bulls
Pretoria, 5am Saturday
Blues
15. George Pisi
14. Doug Howlett
13. Isaia Toeava
12. Sam Tuitupou
11. Rudi Wulf
10. Isa Nacewa
9. Steve Devine
8. Jerome Kaino
7. Daniel Braid
6. Angus Macdonald
5. Troy Flavell (c)
4. Greg Rawlinson
3. John Afoa
2. Keven Mealamu
1. Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Derren Witcombe, Nick White, Ali Williams, Justin Collins, Taniela Moa, David Holwell, Anthony Tuitavake.
Bulls
15. Johan Roets
14. Akona Ndungane
13. J.P. Nel
12. Wynand Olivier
11. Bryan Habana
10. Derick Hougaard
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Pierre Spies
7. W. van Heerden
6. P. Wannenburg
5. Victor Matfield (c)
4. Bakkies Botha
3. Rayno Gerber
2. Gary Botha
1. G. Steenkamp
Reserves: Jaco Engels, Danie Thiart, Danie Rossouw, Derick Kuun, Heinie Adams, Morne Steyn, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.
