Flavell eyeing Chiefs comeback

Blues skipper Troy Flavell says he's confident of leading his men out for the Super 14 opener against the Chiefs at Eden Park on February 16.

Blues skipper Troy Flavell says he's confident of leading his men out for the Super 14 opener against the Chiefs at Eden Park on February 16.

Flavell is recovering from a foot injury that's ruled him out of the pre-season matches, but he is confident that he will be ready next weekend.

“That's the plan at this stage,” said Flavell on stuff.co.nz, revealing that he has finally shed his moon boot and begun jogging.

“I'll be doing everything I can to get there,” he said.

Flavell said he initially thought that he had done some serious ligament damage to his foot in the Blues' recent internal trial. Luckily, he has what he calls 'bone bruising' which he's confident of shaking off next week.

Flavell said it was important he was there to lead his team, but emphasised he would only do so if he was physically up to the task.

“If I do take the field it's going to be hard, because I've had no game-time under my belt. But there's enough familiarity with the guys around me, and I should be all right.”

The former All Black, who was gutted when he was left out Graham Henry's World Cup squad last year, said a second year as captain of the Blues was a challenge he was looking forward to.

“I felt it brought out the best in my game, and that will be something I'll be looking to carry on this year, as well as further develop my skills as a leader,” he said.

Flavell felt the Blues were in good form after a first-up pre-season win over the Reds.

“We can take a lot of confidence out of that [Reds] game. It took us a while to get into it, but there were areas we were extremely happy with like the set piece. We nailed the fundamentals of the game, though there are still a lot of areas we need to fix up, such as the cleanout-ruck area which will always be contestable in this competition,” said.

The Blues final warm-up game against the Highlanders has given Flavell and his men something to think about. After leading 14-0, the Blues capitulated, losing 21-42.

One thing neither Flavell nor his team are looking to hide from is the suggestion doing the rounds that the new Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) in place for the Super 14 offer a clear edge to the Blues.

“I saw an article where one of the Australian guys was saying our team is going to be best suited – I feel he's probably right.

“We've definitely got an attacking side more than a defensive side, so if we can combine the two, along with the new laws, there are going to be a lot more opportunities for us to dot down,” he said.

Another reason for Blues optimism ahead of the Super 14 kick-off is the influence expected to be exerted by new signing, All Black fly-half Nick Evans, who scored twice against his old team, the Highlanders on Friday.

Flavell says Evans' influence is already being felt in a backline laced with talent.

“In the past we've had some extremely talented players who play a different style to Nick. If we can have that consistency that Nick brings to a team that will be definitely valuable.

“Plus, off the field he's in the leadership group and offers a lot to the younger players. He's definitely a great asset,” he said.

Looking ahead to the Blues' opening clash of the Super 14 against the Chiefs, Flavell was full of admiration for Ian Foster's team.

“They've got some big confrontational forwards and they've got a backline similar to us, with some exciting backs especially in the back three. They always get up for this game, historically we've always had good clashes and they probably owe us one for last year as well. They'll be fizzing for this one,” said an enthusiastic Flavell.

Even more reason for the skipper to shrug off his injury and lead his team out next Saturday evening.

“I'll be right,” Flavell hinted.