Blues plan to out-scrum Crusaders on way to victory
The Blues are quietly confident they have the pack to put pressure on their Crusaders counterparts, a traditional area of strength for the red and blacks, at Eden Park tonight.
Certainly they appear to have a scrum that could cause Scott Robertson’s side, who are now without All Blacks such as Sam Whitelock, Owen Franks, Kieran Read and Matt Todd, a few issues. The performances of the Blues’ set piece against the Chiefs and Waratahs suggests that is the case.
In what must be described as a minor revolution at the franchise, the hard-nosed attitudes of forwards coach Tom Coventry and scrum coach Ben Afeaki, along with the power of All Blacks Ofa Tuungafasi and Karl Tu’inukuafe, plus Sione Mafileo and Alex Hodgman before his knee injury, have combined to make the scrum a real weapon for the Blues.
They should have few issues using their scrum as a platform to attack off their own ball and, after hurting the Waratahs in this area last weekend, they may seek to unsettle a side who were dominated by the Chiefs pack in the second half of their loss in Hamilton. In the first half of their come-from-behind win at Eden Park in round one, the Chiefs’ scrum was consistently stuck in reverse.
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“They’ve still got plenty of All Blacks and we’ve still got plenty of respect for that pack,” hooker James Parsons, starting for the first time this season following a back injury, said.
“Codie Taylor is pretty exceptional and you’ve got Scott Barrett there and some young fellas putting their hands up like Tom Christie who is performing well. They’ve got plenty of quality across the board… we know they love coming up to Eden Park and stamping their mark.”
And yet, the Blues, with skipper Patrick Tuipulotu in the second row, will have a few marks to stamp too.
“There have been some promising signs,” agreed Coventry. “Over the last couple of games we’ve been pretty strong at scrum time, that’s been going pretty well. We’ve been able to use that as a platform to attack off.
“We need to be tidier with our lineout and make sure that’s as accurate as the Crusaders’ lineout is, which they pride themselves on.”
The @BluesRugbyTeam have won just two of their last 28 matches against fellow NZ teams. Will they improve that statistic on Friday night at Eden Park against @CrusadersRugby? #SuperRugbyhttps://t.co/McU7lGlFlj
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 12, 2020
The Blues lost four lineouts in their loss to the Chiefs and only one to the Waratahs and the Crusaders will likely subject them to a stern examination here – all the more reason for Parsons to come in. Tuungafasi joins him in the No 3 jersey after some good early-season form from Mafileo.
“Ofa was mighty when he came on last weekend and offered what Ofa does; he’s pretty physical around the field and his mobility was good,” Coventry said. “He’s scrummaging well and he’s replaced Sione who is doing a good job there as well.
“JP with his experience and knowledge of these games – it’s a no brainer for me; get him involved in those opening stages which will be pretty fierce I’d imagine.
“They’ve shown for a while now that when they’re under the pump they go to their scrum. They go to their lineout and try to pick penalties off it. They try to find faults in your concentration levels so we need to be right up there throughout the match.
“It would be nice to turn the tables a little bit, wouldn’t it – but we’ll just be looking for parity and see what happens in that battle.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.
Comments on RugbyPass
Joe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
9 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to comments