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
Wasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
30 Go to comments