Alby Mathewson is becoming used to answering questions about Piri Weepu.
Having left the Hurricanes for the Blues for the 2010 season in order to get more game time, halfback Mathewson will be re-acquainted with his rival - who just happened to be one of the outstanding All Blacks at the recent the World Cup - in Auckland in 2012.
He can't seem to get away from Weepu and he can't get away from the questions either, but 25-year-old Mathewson has a positive outlook.
"It's early days,'' he said today "As long as I play well and keep playing well then the selection stuff will look after itself. It's going to be good competition with me and Piri there.
"We're going to push each other and it's going to be which player suits which game as well. I've dealt with it at the Hurricanes - I played 9 and he played a fair bit at 10 because that's what worked down there so we'll have to see what happens this season.''
The horses for courses approach was something Blues backs coach Bryce Woodward also pushed today.
"It's too early to say,'' Woodward said of his halfback and first-five combination. "We've got three pre-season games and we just don't know what's going to happen.''
Woodward said Weepu was a possibility at first-five, but so too were Gareth Anscombe and Michael Hobbs.
There may be plenty of questions about the make-up of the inside back combination, but what is not in doubt is the firepower lurking further along the line.
Joining Weepu at the Blues after a rocky year in Wellington will be midfielder and fellow All Black Ma'a Nonu, also fresh from an impressive World Cup. The pair will form a backline including Rene Ranger, Rudi Wulf, Isaia Toeava and Benson Stanley.
The forwards boast a tight five consisting of Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric and Ali Williams. The quality of Jerome Kaino is beyond question and Luke Braid had a very good 2011 in the number seven jersey.
Apart from Weepu and Nonu, the other newcomers to the squad are wings David Raikuna from North Harbour and George Moala from Auckland.
The forwards may creak a little if they suffer a few injuries but the Blues' best line-up will test any team in 2012.
Mathewson, the New Zealand Super Rugby player of the year in 2010, said of Weepu and Nonu: "They'll have a point to prove coming up here. It will be a new start for them and they'll be looking forward to it.''
And of the one who got away, Sonny Bill Williams, Mathewson said: "It would have been good to have him here [rather than the Chiefs]. It's just good that he's staying in New Zealand for another year. He's huge here and I know the fans love him. I tweeted him and said 'Auckland's better than Hamilton' but he didn't reply.''
Blues squad for the 2012 Super Rugby competition
Forwards: Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Charlie Faumuina, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Tom McCartney, Keven Mealamu, Brad Mika, Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Peter Saili, Angus Ta'avao, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock.
Backs: Gareth Anscombe, Michael Hobbs, Alby Mathewson, George Moala, Lachie Munro, Ma'a Nonu, David Raikuna, Rene Ranger, Benson Stanley, Sherwin Stowers, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Rudi Wulf.
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