KEY POINTS:
A vigorous defence of hooker Keven Mealamu's test credentials and a lacklustre testimony for midfield back Isaia Toeava were features of the Blues coach David Nucifora's latest Super 14 selection.
Toeava felt the bite of rejection as he made way for Benson Stanley in the only change to the Blues for their trip to Dunedin to play the Highlanders. Tight forwards Tony Woodcock and Troy Flavell have to overcome niggling leg injuries if they are to start Saturday's match.
Stanley, who has played consistently at second five-eighths in his debut season, was rested against the Reds last week but has regained his place alongside new centre Antony Tuitavake.
"I felt that probably with Ice's performance [Toeava] last week, he did not take that opportunity as well as I would have liked to have seen him and I think this is a better centre combination for this game," Nucifora said.
Victory is non-negotiable if the Blues are to retain their slim hope of making the playoffs and Nucifora said that result rather than any notion of charging after a bonus point for tries.
"If we go in there just with that mindset that starts to dictate how you might play the game so we have got a game plan in place how to play them and if we do that well enough then four tries will be an outcome for us," the coach said.
The Highlanders conceded four tries several times this series so their defence was probably a little bit looser than it had been in previous years.
The Blues could tap in to some historical knowledge about their hosts through assistant coach Greg Cooper and Nick Evans although the new staff had delivered new strategies and styles this season. The Blues' attack had become more potent with the positional switch of Evans and Isa Nacewa and that would continue.
The Highlanders lineout had been a strength in their game but the Blues' scrum had been working consistently well and Nucifora hoped his side would be able to deliver some pressure through that set piece. The scrum had been a weapon for the Blues, they had concentrated on that area and it had delivered.
Nucifora was unsure whether that dominance would translate into All Black selection for the entire front row.
But he had read some recent articles about the contenders for All Black hooker which he found "astounding. I don't know what some people have been looking at because Keven Mealamu has been absolutely brilliant for us week in, week out and how anyone doesn't think he is the best hooker in New Zealand - I am dumbfounded".
Loosehead prop Tony Woodcock had produced in all areas of his game while tighthead prop John Afoa had improved much of his play.
Nucifora ends four years with the Blues this season while the franchise will also need a new captain and five-eighths.
The departing coach said the Blues needed to have better control over the contracts system to allow them to plan well into the future.
