The Blues go into their must win encounter with the Cheetahs without a few key players, who are out injured.
The Cheetahs look to have the upper hand going into what is a must win encounter for them as well, with news that Piri Weepu and Chris Noakes are both on their way to New Zealand already.
It is still not clear what the extent of their injuries are at this stage, but Weepu was reportedly still very sore on Monday, while Noakes’ injury has already ruled him out of the clash. Wayne Ngaluafe, who made his Blues debut against France in June, will join the squad within the next 24 hours.
Noakes’ injury saw Baden Kerr take to the field and run the backline, and is likely to start the match at pivot.
Good news for the Blues is that Keven Mealamu and Peter Saili both look to be able to play against the Cheetahs, after missing the match against the Sharks due to injury.
Both teams need a victory to keep their hopes of a play-off spot alive.
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hang on…. I’ve lost track of who we need to win here.
Rob the Blues must win to keep Sharks in the run.
@robdylan (Comment 1) : Technically we can still make the playoffs. We don’t really want either the Blues nor the Cheetahs to win this weekend, but we would be ever so slightly better off if the Blues win. This being because the Cheetahs will end the season with at least 50 points, and a win would put them out of reach. If the Blues win however and so do the Sharks, the Blues still have to play the Chiefs, a game I see them losing. If the Sharks can beat the Bulls and then beat the Kings, both preferably with bonus points, then they make the playoffs, provided everything above goes to plan.
By the way, I love the assonance in the title!
A draw with no bonus points for either team?
@The Quirk (Comment 5) : no, won’t work.
If Cheetahs get 2 points, then 4 for their bye, that puts them on 52. That’s the most we can possibly get to ourselves and they will then be ahead of us on PD.
Blues should just win it and get it over with..
They are likely to lose to the Chiefs in the last round anyway, so neither of them look good for the play-offs..