Rugby: Williams out as Toeava returns to fray

Keven Mealamu will become the first Blues player to clock up 100 games with the franchise. Photo / Brett Phibbs

When Isaia Toeava reported fit again for the Blues, his selection was obvious for tomorrow's Super 14 duel with the Brumbies.

The issue was where to slot the multi-talented midfielder into a back four which was overloaded with potential but had not delivered at capacity. In Toeava's injury absence at centre, the abrasive Rene Ranger had shown enough clout to be retained for the Blues' first game this year at Eden Park.

Coach Pat Lam's solution was revealed yesterday when he announced that Toeava would start as fullback and Paul Williams would drop down into the reserves.

It is not an unfamiliar role for Toeava who played five games at fullback last season and also for the All Blacks against Scotland in 2008.

He has the size, speed and instincts to cover the duties and if a game degenerates into a kicking duel, Toeava can punt the ball vast distances.

Whether he and the Blues are best served using him at fullback, or whether the latest threequarters combination is the most potent quartet, are issues that will continue to be debated.

Ranger looks most destructive on the wing outside the cutting edge of Toeava but the coaching staff are reluctant to bench Joe Rokocoko or Rudi Wulf, so Williams has become the selection victim.

Toeava has not played since he suffered a hip injury in the side's second game against the Highlanders but he passed the medical and physical assessments this week.

"He is a test match fullback and we always said at the start of the season that fullback and centre was his position so it is a good opportunity to come back and have a good crack at fullback," Lam said.

It could be termed another "special project" for Toeava who will be targeted by Brumbies five-eighths Matt Giteau's tactical kicks rather than any physical defensive onslaught in midfield.

The Brumbies have lost former skipper Stirling Mortlock from that confrontation area because of a neck problem but otherwise are at full strength for this sixth round clash.

"They are right up there, they have got class, they have got some experience running the team - the Mortlocks, the Giteaus, the Smiths, Elsom, all of those guys - so it is competition, is a challenge every week. This is a big one," Lam said.

It was also a very special match for captain Keven Mealamu who would become the first Blues player to clock up 100 games for the franchise.

"He is the ultimate pro, he is what you want all your players to be really - honest, professional, hardworking - and it is a big day for him, also for the team and the franchise," Lam added.

It would also be a massive contest for opensider Serge Lilo, who would be meeting one of the master pilferers, George Smith, at the breakdowns. Lilo had taken some time to adjust to the laws but he was improving.

He was getting the ball in his hands more and had shown he could adjust.

The Blues expected the match to be played at a fast clip and wanted to play up tempo but knew they had to be very accurate as the Brumbies were always structured and disciplined. This was the start of four home games out of the next five for the Blues and it was time to set up some momentum.

"Certainly, and it starts with this game and we realise that," Lam said, "but we can't look too far ahead. The main thing is that we get some excitement that we are back on our park and we focus on this game first."

Eden Park, 7.35pm tomorrow

BLUES
Isaia Toeava
Joe Rokocoko
Rene Ranger
Benson Stanley
Rudi Wulf
Stephen Brett
Alby Mathewson
Viliami Ma'afu
Serge Lilo
Jerome Kaino
Anthony Boric
Kurtis Haiu
John Afoa
Keven Mealamu (c)
Tony Woodcock

BRUMBIES
Adam Ashley-Cooper
Pat McCabe
Tyrone Smith
Christian Lealiifano
Francis Fainifo
Matt Giteau
Josh Valentine
Stephen Hoiles (c)
George Smith
Rocky Elsom
Mark Chisholm
Ben Hand
Salesi Maafu
Stephen Moore
Ben Alexander

Blues: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Chris Smylie, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Paul Williams.

Brumbies (one to be named): Huia Edmonds, Guy Shepherdson, Justin Harrison, Mitchell Chapman, Patrick Phibbs, Matt Toomua.