New South Wales five-eighth Mat Rogers will line up against an old rugby league rival on Friday night when the high flying Waratahs tackle a Blues Super 14 team fortified by the presence of two dangerous playmakers.

Joining former Melbourne Storm rugby league five-eighth and Blues pivot Tasesa Lavea in midfield will be classy All Blacks back Luke McAlister, who will line up at inside centre in his first match since suffering a fractured jaw in round two.

"They are both great players," said Rogers, who would not be surprised to see McAlister start at five-eighth.

"I played against Tasesa in the league days and I know he can play the game, and Luke McAlister is a cut above, he's a tremendous player.

"I had a feeling as soon as he was fit, they'd chuck him straight in, so unfortunately he's in there against us.

"Hopefully we can get his measure and keep him quiet, otherwise he can do anything.

"Tasesa is just one of those players who's got tremendous hand-eye coordination, just great with the ball in his hand, can read the game and knows where to put people.

"Those sort of players are just tremendously dangerous and to have another one outside him in McAlister is going to make it that much tougher for us".

NSW coach Ewen McKenzie said McAlister's return meant the Blues had two first receivers and could create play on either side of the ruck.

"Both Lavea and McAlister are both particularly good at putting the ball in behind you," McKenzie said.

"McAlister is likely to take the ball to the line as well, so they can test you with a kicking game or a running game and they've got good passing skills, so they can play the width of the field, so there's a real challenge there for us defensively, how we mark up."

While both teams boast speedy outside backs, the two coaches have stressed forward domination would be the key to their prospects.

"Both teams have got a fair bit of strike power and speed in their backline, so if you want to be able to put those into action, you are going to have to win the primary possession battle," Blues coach David Nucifora said.

McKenzie was particularly impressed with the Blues' set piece play against the Brumbies last week and emphasised the need for his team to improve its ball control.

"We know a team like the Blues can use fractured possession and use it well, so we've got to make sure that we're not loose with our ball control, which we certainly were last week, " McKenzie said.

He said winger Lote Tuqiri, No.8 David Lyons and reserve hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau had all overcome fitness issues and would take their respective places in the team.

Waratahs: Peter Hewat, Wendell Sailor, Morgan Turinui, Shaun Berne, Lote Tuqiri, Mat Rogers, Chris Whitaker (capt), David Lyons, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Daniel Vickerman, Alex Kanaar, Al Baxter, Adam Freier, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Will Caldwell, Stephen Hoiles, Brett Sheehan, Daniel Halangahu, Sam Norton-Knight.

Blues: Isa Nacewa, Viliame Waqaseduadua, Anthony Tuitavake, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko, Tasesa Lavea, John Senio, Nick Williams, Angus Macdonald, Troy Flavell, Ali Williams, Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (capt), Tony Woodcock. Reserves - Tim Dow, Saimone Taumoepeau, Anthony Boric, Kurtis Haiu, Junior Poluleuligaga, Rua Tipoki, Brent Ward.

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