Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush will keep it simple against the Blues in a Super Rugby game which could determine his All Black fate.
Thrush goes head-to-head with uncapped Blues opposite Patrick Tuipulotu in Auckland on Saturday, in a clash which could finalise the last locking berth for New Zealand’s three-Test series against England.
Both players were included in Steve Hansen’s wider training group but one will probably make way when the All Blacks’ squad of 31 is unveiled on Sunday.
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick are certainties, leaving Thrush, fellow-2013 debutant Dominic Bird and the powerful Tuipulotu contesting two other slots.
Thrush, 29, with five Tests last year, is aware re-selection is far from guaranteed despite the absence of the injured Luke Romano.
He is happy with his form this year for the fifth-placed Hurricanes, particularly with their smooth-functioning lineout, but reckons one more positive impression at Eden Park will be important.
“I think the best place to push your case is in the New Zealand derbies,” he said.
“They’re pretty full-on games. Play well there and they’ll notice.”
Thrush says he won’t be tempted to shine in open spaces, recognising that’s not what the national selectors are looking for.
Nor will it help the cause of the Hurricanes, whose playoff fortunes will be boosted enormously if they can repeat their 39-20 win when the teams met six weeks ago.
“The big focus is to make sure you do your core roles and get them right. If you can add a bit extra, the eye-catching stuff, I guess that can only help,” he said.
The 10th-placed Blues have won all five of their games at Eden Park this season and bring an unknown quality following the selection of exciting youngster Ihaia West at five-eighth.
However, they have lost their past two games to slip from realistic playoff contention, while the Hurricanes’ mid-season surge has gathered pace with their last-start 45-8 home thrashing of the Chiefs.
Thrush says it is crucial that performance is harnessed positively and that standards don’t slip.
“I’m still trying to figure out how that happened. It feels like one of those games where a lot of things went our way.
“It’s bloody important that we take some of that confidence into this next game.”
Hurricanes prop Reggie Goodes will start at loosehead prop after All Black Ben Franks was ruled out with a groin injury.