The Blues are looking forward to some dry weather rugby in Brisbane on Saturday night but are also wary of overplaying the conditions.
Coach Pat Lam and his players head across the Tasman on Thursday ahead of their Super Rugby semi-final with minor premiers Queensland, leaving the wet, wintry Auckland weather behind them.
Lam said a dry Suncorp Stadium would mean his team “can play some rugby”.
But their 37-31 round-robin defeat to the Reds last month at the same venue also taught them that they still needed to do the basics.
“We went from rain, a lot of wet weather, and we went over there and were really loose with our passes,” he said.
“It’s given us a real focus on making sure our detail is right, that we can’t take it for granted that a dry ground is going to mean running the ball at ease.”
Lam has named a line-up that at present contains one forced change in the starting 15, with loose forward Chris Lowrey deputising for Anthony Boric at lock.
Boric suffered a mid-foot sprain in the win over the NSW Waratahs last Friday night, and has been ruled out of the rest of the competition.
Lam described Boric as a big loss but said Lowrey had shown his ability at lock when used there.
He was also confident the Blues would claim their share of lineout ball, despite being down to one frontline lock in Ali Williams.
“Chris Lowrey showed against the Highlanders he can win ball,” he said.
“The thing about lineouts is there’s more than just having a tall guy there.
“It about making sure the timing, the combinations and the execution are right, so we’re confident we will get enough ball and it won’t all go to Ali Williams.”
One selection uncertainty is on the left wing, with Rene Ranger and Lachie Munro bracketed.
Ranger is coming back from two weeks out with a hamstring injury, while Munro got bruising to his lower body after NSW skipper Phil Waugh clattered into him last Friday.
Lam said he would wait until arriving in Brisbane before deciding between Ranger’s line-breaking ability and Munro’s goalkicking.
The Blues haven’t been in the last four of the competition since 2007, when they lost to top qualifiers the Sharks, and Lam said the feeling within the camp was “fantastic”.
“We’ve got nothing to lose,” Lam said.
“Four hasn’t beaten one in 12 years and everything points to a Reds victory, so it’s a good challenge for us.”
© AAP 2012Blues: Jared Payne, Joe Rokocoko, Benson Stanley, Luke McAlister, Lachie Munro/Rene Ranger, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson; Peter Saili, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Chris Lowrey, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (capt), Charlie Faumuina. Res: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, James King/Mat Luamanu, Daniel Braid, Chris Smylie, Munro/Ranger, Winston Stanley/Sherwin Stowers.
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June 30th 2011 @ 6:57am
Darwin Stubbie said | June 30th 2011 @ 6:57am | Report comment
“while Munro got bruising to his lower body after NSW skipper Phil Waugh clattered into him last Friday”… that’s one way of putting it – the other would be he was on the receiving end of foul play – it’s becoming a bit of a habit in both SR and NRL – taking out or hitting players after they’ve grounded the ball …
June 30th 2011 @ 7:13am
p.Tah said | June 30th 2011 @ 7:13am | Report comment
I don’t think they trying to take the player out after they’ve grounded the ball, It’s a futile attempt at trying to stop the ball being grounded. It never looks good however. Taking someone out after they score is what Richard Lowe did on Paul Carozza.
June 30th 2011 @ 8:10am
Darwin Stubbie said | June 30th 2011 @ 8:10am | Report comment
Foul play is foul play whether it dates from the 1980′s or what Waugh did on Friday night …. he set out to hit him after the play – and he was extremely successful …. he should have got time in the bin for it
June 30th 2011 @ 8:19am
Jiggles said | June 30th 2011 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Come on DS, I don’t like Phil Waugh as much as the next bloke but there was nothing in that. I would have given Waugh 10 minutes just for being Waugh though.
June 30th 2011 @ 8:39am
johnny-boy said | June 30th 2011 @ 8:39am | Report comment
I thought it was pretty shabby myself and would have expected 10 mins in the bin for a Blues player if they had done that to KB. It was careless at best. C’mon Reds, another full on performance would be good. Dont overplay your hand by giving away too many penalties. You dont need too. Stay calm, do it at speed and believe !
June 30th 2011 @ 9:09am
p.Tah said | June 30th 2011 @ 9:09am | Report comment
I disagree that he dilberately tried to hurt him. He’s not that kind of player. Only Phil will know.
Interesting that your only take on the whole Reds vs. Blues game is to have a go at an Australian player who isn’t even playing!
June 30th 2011 @ 12:23pm
Steve said | June 30th 2011 @ 12:23pm | Report comment
I don’t believe it was overly deliberate either but even if it wasn’t late, leading with the knees like that was pretty ugly. If he had gone in with his arms, it would have been aa bit late but nothing in it. but leading with the knees was careless. Still a yellow card in my book.
June 30th 2011 @ 1:16pm
p.Tah said | June 30th 2011 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
Yes I agree Munro did deserve a yellow card. Poor little Phil was sitting in the in goal, minding his own business when Munro deliberately and with malice threw his ribs at Phil’s unprotected knees. Knowing that poor little Phil was critical to the Tahs success I believe that this a key tactic that Lam took into this game “Take Waugh out.”
Although I don’t think it was intentional, I think Waugh was spared a yellow because it was his last game.
June 30th 2011 @ 1:52pm
B-Rock said | June 30th 2011 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
He was clearly not trying to hurt him – was trying to either hold the ball up or stop him from improving the angle of the kick.
Certainly didnt look like much in it at the time – to be honest I thought he was trying to milk a card soccer style
Compared to the hits these blokes take each game this looked very soft – must have connected in the wrong spot to still be having an impact a week later
July 1st 2011 @ 5:24pm
Jerry said | July 1st 2011 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
“He’s not that kind of player.”
I wonder what Richie McCaw thinks about that?
June 30th 2011 @ 5:12pm
zhenry said | June 30th 2011 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
How far do you want to go back mate, you smug cherry ripe little angel.
June 30th 2011 @ 7:12am
p.Tah said | June 30th 2011 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Some quarters appear to think the Reds are a shoe in for this game. I think the Blues are really going to give it to them. Their last meeting was pretty close. My prediction 32-24 to the Reds with a last minute try sealing it. go Reds!
June 30th 2011 @ 8:21am
Jiggles said | June 30th 2011 @ 8:21am | Report comment
This one is going to be as tight as a ducks bum for sure. If the blues can get their breakdown correct it will be a very close run thing.
June 30th 2011 @ 8:20am
Mark said | June 30th 2011 @ 8:20am | Report comment
Hope this article doesn’t turn into little gripes.
Reds by 15. They have raised to every challenge.
Blues are suspect, 4 loses in a row towards the end of season means plenty.
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June 30th 2011 @ 8:53am
Damo said | June 30th 2011 @ 8:53am | Report comment
I think Lam is playing a brain game with Ranger and Munro. If Ranger is playing that would make for a defensive reshuffle at most teams. Whether Link sees that as necessary at Reds, who knows?
The Blues are a formidable outfit, with internationals across the park, a team of champions. Spirit, trust and consistency win games and that should see Reds squeeze out a win assuming they play to script.
June 30th 2011 @ 12:28pm
Steve said | June 30th 2011 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
Two of the four loses were against the Red’s where they played well in stages but not for a full 80, and the Crusaders who they played well and would have beaten most teams, I’ll put money on Link planing for a committed and skillful Blues team.
June 30th 2011 @ 9:35am
Emuarse said | June 30th 2011 @ 9:35am | Report comment
It seems to me that a problem for the Blues is that this is their fifth game in a row since their bye in round 15 (28th May).
Also that the last game was a finals game, for which they had to raise their standards, for the first 60 minutes anyway.
I see a team that is going to miss that spark which is needed in a semi final, and as the game gets longer, the more tired they will become.
They might mix it for the first 30-35 minutes, but after that, its all going to be downhill for the Blues!
June 30th 2011 @ 9:50am
Mals said | June 30th 2011 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Reds by 7. They have had the benefit of a week off, have key players returning & are playing at home in front of 50,000 crazy QLD Reds fans.
I am hoping to see plenty of tries scored, as Lam says the Blues are excited to be there & have nothing to lose so can play without the weight of expectation on their shoulders.
June 30th 2011 @ 10:28am
Gary Russell-Sharam said | June 30th 2011 @ 10:28am | Report comment
It will be a tough game no doubt against the Reds for the Blues On the Waugh incident I have to say I was very surprised that he did not spend time in the bin for his deliberate knees in first tackle. I don’t like sticking it in to retired players but in this case it was blatant. You could see by the look on Waugh face when he got called out by the ref straight after that he thought he was in trouble but the ref was only remonstrating for off side, I think Waugh breathed a sigh of relief. The Reds will have to remain calm and play to the best of their ability to win this game. The talk is always about the backs but the game will be won in the forwards and overall the reds have the better pack IMO.
June 30th 2011 @ 10:36am
jameswm said | June 30th 2011 @ 10:36am | Report comment
I’d expect the Reds to win, but I’m worried about their scrum. Daley and Holmes are grear eksewhere, but they are going to struggle big time there. Horwill and Smmons help them out a bit.
Reds are back to full strength back row and halves, plus Fainga’a and Ioane back. They really should expect to win this.
Expect Quade to put in some big defensive hits early – no I am not joking.
The Reds have their faults but I can’t see the Blues being good enough to take advantage of them. The home ground advantage is so huge.
June 30th 2011 @ 10:54am
Bayboy said | June 30th 2011 @ 10:54am | Report comment
Anything but a win to the Reds will be an almighty failure and a huge knock to the Wallabies psyche and that of their fans heading into the World Cup.
The Blues go in to this match massive underdogs however knowing they can win when it counts they have 3 titles to their names
The Reds however have a big donut.
The last time the Reds qualified top dog they were pumped in their home semi final 7 tries to three by Natal Sharks the Blues went on to win the Super 12 that year.
The Blues lost a close game this year, some say the Reds stepped off the pedal others say the Blues were asleep for the first 20. Depending on who you are backing your interpretation will be different.
The Blues pulled of a win last year in Brisbane so they know they can do it.
Suncorp will be humming this weekend but do not for a second think all 50k will be barracking for the Reds many people tend to forget how many Kiwis live in Brisbane and it’s surrounds. You can guarantee a fair few thousand will be cheering for the lads from the homeland.
June 30th 2011 @ 2:14pm
B-Rock said | June 30th 2011 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Bayboy – Events which happened 8+ yrs ago arevirtually irrelevant to the outcome on Saturday night. Only two teams in the comp can claim to have experience in winning major finals matches – Crusaders and Bulls.
The Reds crowd will not be a major motivator for QLD – unless the Blues have 10K+ fans there you will not notice it at all.
Reds by 10 in a reasonably close one, with rest and a home crowd to get the Reds over the line in the second half. Blues will have to lift massively from last week where they were average against a virtual sydney club side.
June 30th 2011 @ 11:44am
Joseph said | June 30th 2011 @ 11:44am | Report comment
I think the Blues will be beaten soundly. Blues v Waratahs was closer than we think. If Beale had his kicking boots on, score line would have been 26-23, with more than half their team missing.
Blues are not up to standard. The Reds seem to have a controlled hunger.
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June 30th 2011 @ 12:59pm
CraigB said | June 30th 2011 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
The Reds to win easily if they have focussed on there up and in defense. The Canes isolated Cooper against Gear and ran over him numerous times. The Blues will try the same using Ranger. They need to prevent that and they should be right. For mine the Blues didn’t do much more than let the Tahs be themselves and play dumb rugby.