Blues player ratings vs Chiefs | Super Rugby Pacific
The Blues faced an almighty challenge in Hamilton for round six of Super Rugby Pacific, squaring off with the unbeaten Chiefs in the “battle of the Bombays”.
The game couldn’t have started much worse for the Auckland side, receiving the kickoff just to have it ripped and for Damian McKenzie to put the grubber kick through with Emoni Narawa winning the race to score in the corner.
The game then settled into a back-and-forth with hard-fought tries going either way while the conditions worsened. Handling errors crept into the game for both teams but the Chiefs continued their high-volume kicking tactics and punished the Blues for their lack of execution under pressure. halftime score: 17-10.
Scoring was almost non-existent in the second 40, keeping fans on the edge of their seat as the Blues went close to scoring on several occasions but again just couldn’t execute.
The game was still in the balance in the dying minutes and the Blues made their way into the Chiefs’ five-meter line, a couple of strong carries built hope that they could steal a draw but again, they suffered a knock on and the game was lost. Fulltime score: 20-13.
Here’s how the Blues rated:
1. Jordan Lay – 6.5/10
The Blues scrum performed well throughout the night, giving the Chiefs problems which confounded the host’s ill-discipline and saw them receive a warning just 20 minutes into the game. Lay contributed just a handful of tackles and found limited impact around the park.
2. Ricky Riccitelli – 7
Out-muscled in the contact early. Would have blown an attacking opportunity with a misthrown lineout five meters from the Chiefs’ line but was bailed out by the Chiefs’ ill-discipline. Subsequently scored a strong try two phases after the ensuing scrum. Settled into a more characteristic game in the end, finishing as one of the Chiefs’ best tacklers.
3. Nepo Laulala – 8
Went searching for ways to inject himself physically, nailing Damian McKenzie in an early exchange. Showed great dominance throughout the many scrums he was a part of, putting in a big shift without easing the pressure.
4. Cameron Suafoa – 5.5
A mixed bag early, discipline was called out but also stole a lineout. Wasn’t able to make his mark on the game physically. While you’ve got to admire Suafoa for filling in whatever position Leon Macdonald has asked of him, you’d have to think he’s hoping to get a chance back in the loose forwards at some point soon so he can express his more dynamic skillset. In the meantime, he’ll take learnings from being involved in more of the gritty work and come through a more robust player for it.
5. Sam Darry – 6.5
Coughed up the ball off the opening kickoff which led to the Chiefs scoring 20 seconds later. One of the Blues’ stronger carriers on the night, playing with real enthusiasm.
6. Anton Segner – 6
The youngster went about his business as a solid contributor around the park but just couldn’t find the opportunities he did last week. The few times he went searching for a turnover the Chiefs were all over him.
7. Dalton Papalii (c) – 7
Blues fans were looking to their captain for a big performance in this one, as Papali’i squared off with Sam Cane. Papali’i had a quiet opening 40 but found ways to inject himself early in the second. The match perhaps served as a learning for the young captain as the tight game handed him plenty of tough decisions and while he admirably backed his players to execute by looking for more than the three points on offer, the team just looked out of sync and couldn’t get the payoff.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 7
Wasn’t able to have much of an influence on attack in the first half but his pace served the Blues well during some of the Chiefs’ threatening runs.
9. Finlay Christie – 7.5
Found himself under pressure often as clean ball was hard to come by in the slippery conditions, kept his composure though and made good decisions. Caught out by the new rules around the scrum once but executed his own set-piece moves well.
10. Beauden Barrett – 5
Started the match with some poor conversion attempts and botched a sure try as he was over the try line attempting to get closer to the posts, but ankle tapped by Tupou Vaa’i and hit the dead ball line. Handed the Chiefs the ball with a couple of handling errors. Showed glimpses of coming to life in the closing minutes when the game was on the line but it was too little too late. Overall an uncharacteristically indecisive and inaccurate outing.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
Out-paced by Emoni Narawa as his opposite scored the opening try. Proved as always to be an incredibly strong finisher. Some great work under the high ball, chasing well and timing his jumps perfectly.
12. Harry Plummer – 4
Struggled to find a rhythm in the game. His short balls were ineffective and the Blues’ attack in general looked like it was lacking some identity and purpose.
13. Rieko Ioane – 7
Very strong defensive work throughout. Quiet on attack in the opening 40. Found half gaps and used his incredible acceleration to good effect in getting some post-contact meters. The Blues just couldn’t find ways to set their X-factor players free.
14. Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens – 5
Just a handful of touches for Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in this one.
15. Stephen Perofeta – 6
Out-hustled by Narawa for the opening try. A maul call after he got a knee to ground in a Brodie Retallick tackle would’ve caused flashbacks from the end of the Crusaders game. A couple of knock-ons under the high ball were uncharacteristic. Had just a couple of chances at first receiver where his playmaking looked to unlock elements of the Blues attack that were rarely seen in the match.
Reserves:
16. Kurt Eklund – 6
17. Ofa Tuungafasi – 7.5
The All Black came on and continued the momentum the Blues had at scrum time.
18. James Lay – 7
19. Patrick Tuipulotu – 8
Had a good impact on the game when he entered, tidying up the phase play with some strong and controlled carries.
20. Tom Robinson – 6
21. Sam Nock – 6
22. Corey Evans – N/A
23. Zharn Sullivan – 6
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments