Tired Blues should still be too strong for Cats

The Blues are ignoring any prevailing concerns about player fatigue, continuing the unbroken service for the majority of their pack against the Cats tomorrow.

Senior lock Ali Williams has been spelled for the second time this season and experienced openside flanker Daniel Braid has damaged a knee and will miss the rest of the Super 14 campaign.

But No 8 Nick Williams, lock Greg Rawlinson and the front row of John Afoa, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock have been picked for tomorrow's game in Johannesburg - their 12th game on the trot.

Debate will rumble on about the wisdom of that policy and whether it highlights their proficiency, the lack of alternatives or poor squad selection.

Ali Williams, who has had a moderate season, makes way for young utility Anthony Boric while Braid is replaced by tearaway loose forward Onosai Tololima-Auva'a.

In the backs, Isa Nacewa and Joe Rokocoko remain on track to play every match this season.

Victory against the Cats will emulate the two wins and a loss record the Hurricanes and Highlanders managed in their campaigns in South Africa.

The Chiefs have been the only New Zealand side to lose to the Cats this season when they fell 16-21 in a poor performance early in the series.

The Cats are still without their regular skipper Wickus van Heerden who has damaged a knee while Bertus Smit comes in at tighthead prop and Willem Stoltz is picked at lock.

There are multiple backline changes with Jano Vermaak replacing Springbok halfback Enrico Januarie, Jacque Fourie and Wayne Julies in the centres instead of Grant Esterhuizen and Doppies la Grange, with Wylie Human picked on the left wing.

Human scored the injury-time try to allow the Cats to escape with a draw against the Force last week but the locals should not get that close tomorrow. Even though the Blues have been patchy, they should have too much strikepower out wide for the competition's least successful South African team.

The Cats have managed only to win against the Chiefs and draw with the Force this year.

After a poor first half of the series, the Blues have lost just once in the second segment as they have played all the South African teams.

Blindside flanker Jerome Kaino and other fringe contenders such as Brent Ward and Nick Williams get another chance to press for All Black selection.

The Blues finish their campaign next Saturday against the Chiefs at Eden Park.

Blues v Cats
Johannesburg, 5.10am tomorrow

Cats
Earl Rose, Conrad Jantjes, Jacque Fourie,  Wayne Julies, Wylie Human, Andre Pretorius (c), Jano Vermaak, Ernst Joubert, Trevor Hall, Cobus Grobbelaar, Willem Stoltz, KleinJan Tromp, Bertus Smit, Delarey du Preez, Lwrence Sephaka
Reserves: Willie Wepener, Daniel Muller, Alten Hulme, Gerhard Vosloo, Enrico Januarie, Doppies la Grange, Grant Esterhuizen.

Blues
Brent Ward, Doug Howlett, Ben Atiga, Isa Nacewa, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, J. Poluleuligaga, Nick Williams, O. Tol.-Auva'a, Jerome Kaino, Anthony Boric,Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, K. Mealamu (c),Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Tim Dow, Saimone Taumoepeau, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, John Senio, Tasesa Lavea, Anthony Tuitavake.