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Blues may have some major work-ons but they've also weathered one of toughest possible starts to Super Rugby
Three weeks into the season and the Blues are already being written off.
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The Blues are sitting eighth on the Super Rugby standings and fourth in the New Zealand conference after one win and two losses.
Across New Zealand, the Blues are being tagged as the disappointments of the country – it’s the same old stuff from the Auckland-based side, apparently.
But that’s not quite true.
It’s early days yet, but while it certainly hasn’t been the best start to a season, there’s still plenty of water to pass under the Harbour Bridge before we get a real understanding of what this Blues team is capable of.
Continue reading below…
One from three isn’t anything to write home about – but look who the Blues have had to compete with so far.
In round one, the Chiefs came to Eden Park. The Blues managed to build a solid 19-5 halftime lead courtesy of a brace of tries to (now injured) wing Rieko Ioane.
The Chiefs fought back in the second stanza after they were able to introduce All Blacks Atu Moli, Brad Weber, Aaron Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown off the bench, ultimately triumphing 37-29.
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The Blues’ round two opponents, the Waratahs, may have had their worst-ever start to a Super Rugby season – but that’s partially due to what the Blues managed to achieve in Newcastle.
Rob Simmons, Michael Hooper, Karmichael Hunt and Kurtley Beale were all on hand for the Waratahs and the fact that the Blues were able to lead the game from start to finish – while playing away from home – is a testament to their ability.
The All Black hooker's whirlwind cameo in his return from injury had a bit everything – good and bad. #HURvSHA #SuperRugby https://t.co/2SpAoJn5UB
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 15, 2020
In round three, the Blues again played host to a New Zealand side – this time facing the defending champion Crusaders.
As in round one, the Blues started fast and built a small lead but they were ultimately no match for the Crusaders.
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And despite the Crusaders haemorrhaging experience between seasons, they were still able to field a backline containing an All Black in every position except halfback – although even then, Bryn Hall did tour with the national side at the end of 2018 and one-cap All Black Mitchell Drummond came off the bench in the second half.
The Crusaders pack wasn’t quite so decorated, but they were still able to call upon Codie Taylor, Joe Moody and Scott Barrett – all of whom started in New Zealand’s World Cup semi-final last year.
The common trend in the Blues’ games to dates is that they’ve squared off against sides littered with experienced Test-level internationals – while the Aucklanders haven’t had the same luxury.
On Friday night against the Crusaders, the Blues started six players who have previously earned caps for the All Blacks: James Parsons, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papalii and Matt Duffie.
Of those six, just two travelled to the 2019 World Cup and none of them started in the pivotal match against England.
Excluding the two that were in Japan, the Blues’ All Blacks had an average of just four Test-caps each.
That’s a far cry from what the Crusaders, Chiefs and even Waratahs were able to field, in terms of internationals.
This came down to the WIRE.https://t.co/I9KCaiwwie
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 15, 2020
And that difference in experience was very clearly reflected in expectations heading into the season. The Crusaders and Chiefs were instilled as the two favourites to take out the competition in all the major betting agencies around the world.
The Blues, meanwhile, were expected to finish a distant fourth in the New Zealand conference.
Come the end of the season, you’ll struggle to find many teams that are able to best both the Crusaders and the Chiefs – the fact that the Blues were able to make any in-roads on them at all is a sign of growth in the side.
In fact, there are plenty of reasons for Blues supporters to remain optimistic.
First five Stephen Perofeta, a man who has looked down on confidence, attacked the line with vigour on Friday night.
When a 10 challenges the defence instead of simply shovelling the ball on, it gives considerably more space and time to his outside backs to work some magic in the wider channels.
TJ Faiane and English import Joe Marchant have both looked dangerous when given a bit of space while new wing Mark Telea notched a hat-trick of tries against the Waratahs.
Perofeta has spent plenty of time on the sidelines injured and regular game time will do wonders for the man who helped orchestrate the Blues’ historic victory over the British and Irish Lions in 2017.
It was Perfoeta’s audacious chip that sparked the linebreak to eventually create the Blues’ first try – scored by Perofeta after he identified a gap between two front-rowers defending the Crusaders’ line.
After the last three World Cups, the @AllBlacks have immediately brought a new first five into the squad. Ian Foster will struggle to do the same in 2020, writes @TomVinicombe. #SuperRugby https://t.co/QteVpEioHN
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 13, 2020
It might not have been the most structured play but it came off nonetheless – and if the ball keeps bouncing Perofeta’s way then he’ll continue to grow into the jersey.
Where Perofeta desperately does need to find some form, however, is kicking for goal.
The Taranaki first five has converted just five of his 12 attempts on goal, which could dearly cost the Blues in the long run.
“It’s a massive work on and I’m trying,” Perofeta told Stuff.
“It’s not a worry, but a confidence thing for me. But it won’t change how I’m practising during the week, how often I’m practising because that’s my job, I’ve got to nail it for the team.
“The better I do that and nail it, the more the team will get out of it.”
With Beauden Barrett due back in mid-April, Perofeta will need to have a solid hold on the 10 jersey if he wants to prevent the All Blacks from taking over.
The other big weakness for the Blues was in their set-piece, with five lineout feeds finding their way into Crusaders’ possession.
Leon MacDonald attributed that to the early loss of lineout caller Josh Goodhue who was left limping around on crutches after the match.
Beauden Barrett is undoubtedly a huge signing for the @BluesRugbyTeam, but there are a number of other playmakers in the side that will need to step up before Barrett arrives late in the @SuperRugby season, writes @TomVinicombe.https://t.co/VxCLFO2vzp#SuperRugby
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 5, 2020
The Blues will have to sort out who’s going to take over the calls in Africa with Goodhue unlikely to travel.
The next two weeks will play a massive role in the success of the Blues’ season.
If they can score at least one win against either the Bulls or the currently undefeated Stormers then the former champions will return to New Zealand with some newfound courage and belief.
If, however, the Blues arrive back in the country desperate for points against the ever-improving Hurricanes, then their season may well be on tenterhooks before the messiah Beauden Barrett can even make an appearance for his new franchise.
WATCH: RugbyPass put some questions to new All Blacks Coach Ian Foster on Sky Sports show, The Breakdown.
Comments on RugbyPass
Pot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
19 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
4 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
19 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
19 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
19 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
19 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
19 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
19 Go to comments