But they are likely to need maximum points against both the Highlanders in Dunedin and the Hurricanes in Auckland next weekend, as well as have other results go their way.

One bit of comfort for their fans is that the Highlanders have conceded four tries in two of their past three outings, although those matches were played in South Africa, rather than at Carisbrook.

Coach David Nucifora said the scenario for the Blues was the same as last week, when they broke a three-game losing streak with a 35-22 bonus-point win over the Queensland Reds.

As in Brisbane, it was more important for his players to focus on the gameplan against the Highlanders, rather than worry about the need to cross the tryline four times.

"If we go in there just with that mindset, that starts to dictate how you might play the game," he said.

"We've got a gameplan in place on how to play them. If we do it well enough, four tries will be an outcome for us."

The Blues have won on only two of their five visits to Carisbrook, but that historical note did not concern for Nucifora.

With both All Blacks utility back Nick Evans and former Highlanders coach Greg Cooper having moved to the Blues this season, it was a case of different teams and different coaches.

"We've taken their coach and we've taken their No 10 -- maybe that will make the difference," he said.

"But it wasn't a statistic that plays into our thinking at all, to be honest."

Nucifora has made one change to his starting 15, with Benson Stanley returning to second five-eighth and All Blacks utility Isaia Toeava dropping to the bench.

Meanwhile, skipper and lock Troy Flavell and prop Tony Woodcock, who had been in doubt, were today passed fit.
 
The two All Blacks were in doubt due to a hamstring strain for Flavell and foot injury for Woodcock.

Nucifora agreed that the battle up front would be an intriguing one, with the Blues having scrummaged well this season, while the Highlanders had a strong lineout.

"They've got a very good lineout, a very good defensive lineout," he said.

"I'm sure they're going to be putting a lot of pressure on us in that department, so it's something we've put quite a bit of work into."

The Highlanders are backing up from their long journey home from Bloemfontein, where they hung on a notable 31-28 win over the Cheetahs last weekend despite being reduced to 13 men in the closing stages.

Coach Glenn Moore has made four changes to his side, two of them because of injury, with winger Matt Saunders (leg) and centre Brett Mather (head knock) both unavailable.

Their places go to Glen Horton and Aaron Bancroft respectively.

At halfback, first-choice Jimmy Cowan replaces Toby Morland, while openside flanker Alando Soakai comes back from a knee injury to take over from Tim Boys.

Although out of semifinals contention, the Highlanders will still have plenty of motivation, with the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy, named after the man who coached both franchises, up for grabs again.