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The Bulls’ lowly position on the ladder has the Blues on their toes heading into their Super 14 rugby match here on Saturday night.
Two successive defeats on the road have left the defending champions in 11th place, while the Blues’ late 17-14 win over the Stormers have lifted them to third.
But coach David Nucifora was today wary of the challenge the Bulls would pose at Eden Park.
“Desperate teams are always more dangerous,” he said.
“There’s no doubt about that.”
Nucifora noted that the Pretoria-based side had brought back Springbok No.8 Pierre Spies, who has been out for eight months with a lung problem.
Pacy winger Bryan Habana was also due to return after a shoulder injury kept him sidelined from the 43-27 defeat to the Chiefs last weekend.
“They’ve managed to bring back some handy players,” Nucifora said.
“They’ll probably have their strongest team running out there this weekend.”
Nucifora has made four changes to his starting 15, among them the inclusion of five-eighth Nick Evans.
Evans had been named in the run-on side last week as well, despite being concussed in the loss to the Western Force in the previous round.
But he ended up not taking the field against the Stormers, with Isaia Toeava moving in from centre to fill in.
Nucifora said Evans had recovered from his head knock, inflicted by teammate Nick Williams’ elbow, and would play against the Bulls.
At wing, Joe Rokocoko, who began on the bench against the Stormers, replaces Anthony Tuitavake, who drops out of the 22.
The other changes are in the pack.
Flanker Justin Collins comes into the loose forward trio for No.8 Nick Williams, who gets a spell on the bench.
Nucifora said Williams, who left the field midway through the second half against the Stormers with a shoulder problem, was fine.
Williams had “just a bit of wear and tear” and the aim of putting him in the reserves was to freshen him up.
At loosehead prop, Tony Woodcock returns to start in a swap with Nick White, who goes to bench and will also be the back-up hooker, with Tom McCartney being given game time in club rugby.
Nucifora said flanker Daniel Braid had come through his first Super 14 match after off-season shoulder surgery without any hitches.
Braid was originally meant to play about 50 to 60 minutes against the Stormers, but ended up clocking the full 80 because of Williams’ early departure.
“He didn’t like me on Sunday because he was pretty sore,” Nucifora said.
“Fitness-wise and confidence-wise, it was great for him to play 80 minutes. It will probably speed up his contribution over the coming weeks.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.