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Anthony Tuitavake - Source: Photosport -
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The Blues have been widely criticised since leaking a season high 63 points against the Chiefs on Saturday but key back Anthony Tuitavake is sure they can bounce back.
The Blues are amazingly still well in the hunt for a play-off berth as the season hits the halfway point.
A three-win, three-loss record and a smattering of bonus points - including two of the most undeserved consolation points in the history of the Super 14 - have the Blues just outside the top-four on points differential.
How a team can concede over 60 points in one game and still warrant a bonus point has once again fired up debate about the merits of the system but Tuitavake has a simple message to the detractors.
"People can talk as much as they like really," he told TVNZ.co.nz
"We go out there and play hard for each other and play for fans and family."
"We go out there to try and win, we don't go out there and try and lose or anything."
"We're trying really hard and this week has been a big week for us."
The Blues conceded a franchise record 10 tries on Saturday, and not surprisingly a lot of the focus at training this week has been on defensive systems.
A lot of the tries the Chiefs scored were against the run of play and Tuitavake says that the Blues need to lift their intensity at the collision area.
"We didn't have enough players in rucks, we got blown off a couple of times and this we got to make sure we look after to each other," he said
"You know if players go into those situations in ones and two people get hurt and that's the big thing for us."
"Our systems are in place but individually we got to be on the eight ball and if we're not we let the whole team down."
"We have to look at ourselves first and then as a team."
Thankfully for the Blues they come up against a Waratahs team struggling to score tries of late: the Sydnesiders have scored just four in their last three outings.
But Tuitivake still believes they are a dangerous side that possess some real star quality.
"I still rate them as one of the good teams around because they're strong, fast and intelligent" he said
"They've got dangerous ball players all round: they have Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner on the wing and Lote Tuquri."
"You know if we give them time and space they can hurt you from anywhere."
"But we just have to respect them going into this game because on their day or their night they can hurt anyone."
Pat Lam has reshuffled his backline for Friday night's clash. Jamie Helleur comes in at second-five eight to add more defensive steel while Paul Williams comes back from injury to play at his preferred fullback position. As a result Isaia Toeava slots into centre and Tuitavake reverts back to the wing.
Tuitavake confirmed to TVNZ.co.nz last season that wing was his preferred position and he says this still is the case.
I definitely enjoy the wing but I'm just doing what's best for the team - wherever I can contribute," the 25-year-old said.
"The lasts couple of weeks I've been playing at centre because we had a couple of injuries."
"This week I've been thrown out to the wing and I just have to do the best I can to adapt."
"But I'm just happy to be out there considering all the talent that we have."
Meanwhile, NSW Waratahs playmaker Kurtley Beale will join his
teammates in Auckland and take his place on the bench.
Beale, who was relegated to the Waratahs reserves this week after
some inconsistent performances at five-eighth, did not fly to New
Zealand with the side on Wednesday after coming down with a bout of
tonsilitis.
The 20-year-old was in doubt for the crucial match, in which Daniel
Halangahu will wear the No.10 jersey for NSW, but flew to Auckland
on Thursday
.
Blues: Paul Williams, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia
Toeava, Jamie Helleur, Joe Rokocoko, Jimmy Gopperth, Taniela Moa,
Jerome Kaino, Onosa'i Auva'a, Chris Lowrey, Ali Williams, Kurtis
Haiu, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tevita Mailau.
Res: Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Anthony Boric, Peter
Saili, Chris Smylie, Michael Hobbs, Rene Ranger.
Waratahs: Sam Norton-Knight, Lachie Turner, Rob
Horne, Tom Carter, Lote Tuqiri, Daniel Halangahu, Luke Burgess,
Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh (capt), Ben Mowen, Will Caldwell, Dean
Mumm, Dan Palmer, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Res: Damien Fitzpatrick, Sekope Kepu, Chris Thomson, Luke Doherty,
Brett Sheehan, Kurtley Beale, Timana Tahu.
#Additional reporting from AAP
