Senio faces up to challenge

John Senio will play halfback for the Blues. Phil Walter / Getty Images

John Senio's intriguing connection with the Blues moves into a new phase tomorrow when he tangles with All Black halfback Piri Weepu in the start of the Super 14.

The 23-year-old's career with the Blues looked as though it might parallel that of his older international brother Kevin.

Both brothers left Auckland because of the selection congestion at halfback and while they made it back to the periphery of the Blues, neither looked as though they would crack a permanent place.

That pattern seemed as though it would repeat this season for John until he was called up a month ago from the wider training group as a permanent replacement for the injured David Gibson.

Then Steve Devine crocked a leg and Senio found himself the frontline halfback to start the Super 14.

He had been an emergency call-up for injuries as the squad's fifth halfback against the Hurricanes last season but yesterday he bagged the start as the Blues premier choice.

The social sciences graduate said he felt much more at ease this time because of the preparation he'd had for his second tilt at the Hurricanes.

"It has given me more confidence," Senio said.

"It will be a big challenge. The boys have been supporting and encouraging me to back myself and to concentrate on my own game."

Senio's elevation was helped by Devine's absence from the trial games, although he has recovered to sit on the bench.

"John has showed each time he's gone out on the field he's kept improving. That's all we've asked of him. He played well the other night and deserves that starting spot this week," said coach David Nucifora.

Most of the Blues selection tweaking came in the backs where Tasesa Lavea and Luke McAlister were declared fit and picked as the inside backs.

In a close tussle at centre, Anthony Tuitavake lost out though lack of matchplay to Ben Atiga while the impressive Isa Nacewa forced his way in at fullback.

Nucifora said Nacewa's form demanded his inclusion although the coach was unsure whether he had decided fullback was Nacewa's best position.

"I don't know if I have yet, to be honest," the coach added.

"He keeps making things quite difficult for us because everywhere you put him he plays well. He spent most of his time last season at fullback and wing, but he keeps proving he's a competent player wherever you put him.

"We've got total confidence in him wherever he starts."

Nacewa's selection at fullback will allow a direct comparison with fellow utility Isaia Toeava who has been picked as the Hurricanes fullback.

Surprise All Black selection Toeava was forced to leave the Blues original lineup when the NZRU selection panel instructed the Blues to include draft exempted Rua Tipoki in their squad.

"I had not seen a lot of Isaia but Aussie [McLean, assistant coach] kept telling me how good he was and we watched him play for Auckland B," Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper said.

"He is a real talent. A lot of the stuff he is doing you can't coach.

"He plays at great speed, is always looking to keep the ball alive, has a great punt and a big future," Cooper said.

The Hurricanes coach solved his backline playing riches by using Tana Umaga and Conrad Smith in midfield and picking Ma'a Nonu on the left wing. "It is all about the pre-season combination we have used, one which is the All Black midfield. It is a combination which works best for us and Ma'a is great in beating players one on one and can do that out on the wing."

The Blues have 10 past or current All Blacks, Fijian international Nacewa and Samoan international Senio in their side while only Luke Andrews and Jimmy Gopperth from the Hurricanes have not played international rugby.


The Game

Eden Park, 7.35pm tomorrow

* Blues
Isa Nacewa, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Tasesa Lavea, John Senio, Angus Macdonald, Daniel Braid, Nick Williams, Greg Rawlinson, Ali Williams, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (c), Tony Woodcock
Reserves
Blues: Tim Dow, Saimone Taumoepeau, Kurtis Haiu, Justin Collins, Steve Devine, Rua Tipoki, Brent Ward.

* Hurricanes
Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa'atau, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga, Ma'a Nonu, Jimmy Gopperth, Piri Weepu, R. So'oialo (c), Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Luke Andrews, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Joe McDonnell
Reserves
Luke Mahoney, Tim Fairbrother, Paul Tito, Thomas Waldrom, Brendan Haami, David Holwell, Shannon Paku.