1
Blues react to 'freak of nature' Hoskins Sotutu's MVP-esque start to season
Hoskins Sotutu has produced two dominant performances over the opening two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific, spurring his team to two strong wins over the Drua and Highlanders.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the round one win, Sotutu claimed two tries and he then backed that up with a hat-trick in Friday’s Super Round win, featuring near the top in all relevant statistical categories for a No 8.
The surge in form comes off the back of a disappointing 2023 campaign for the 14-time All Black, having fallen out of favour entirely with national selectors, not even making the All Blacks XV squad.
Fans were curious to see how the 25-year-old would respond in 2024, a year that shaped up as a decisive campaign to test the forward’s competitive spirit and resilience.
What those fans have been rewarded with is the best two games of Sotutu’s young Super Rugby career, two games that put him firmly as a front runner for higher honours under the new All Blacks coaching setup – who were in attendance for Friday’s masterclass in Melbourne.
“He probably needs to pass the ball to Dalton (Papali’i) a bit more often,” quipped Blues coach Vern Cotter after the game. “It was good the All Black coaches were there watching.”
“He’s hogging the ball, eh,” Blues captain Papali’i jokingly agreed. “He’s a freak of nature, I’ve known him for years now, even growing up.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He’s got a skillset like no other, it’s that Fijian flair he has. He’s an awesome player, and has started last week and even this game on form. I hope he carries that on, because he’s a key player in our team.”
A decisive moment in the match came on the cusp of halftime when the score was tied at 15 apiece and the Highlanders had possession deep in the Blues’ 22.
The young Highlanders had proven very efficient when converting scoring opportunities early in the game and looked to have the Blues under pressure again with an eye on a halftime lead.
Screaming forward with the ball in hand just metres from the line was All Black prop Ethan de Groot, but then, a thumping hit from fellow All Black Ofa Tu’ungafasi saw de Groot spill possession and the ball found the hands of Stephen Perofeta.
ADVERTISEMENT
The first five-eighth immediately looked to the sideline to clear the ball and bring the half to an end, but he also spied a hole in the Highlanders line. Running from behind his own goalposts, Perofeta stepped a rushing defender and glided through the gap.
The playmaker made it to halfway before dropping it off to Mark Tele’a in support, who then found Akira Ioane who rumbled into the 22. From the chaos of the break came a mistake from Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens who was subsequently yellow-carded for an illegal contest at the ruck.
Two phases after a line-out rolling maul, Mark Tele’a picked the ball up from the base of a ruck and dived over the line to hand his team the halftime lead just a minute after it looked like it would be the Highlanders with the final say of the period.
“We’re talking about initiative and space, and freeing these guys up, so they can take those opportunities, and he did, ” Cotter said of Perofeta’s highlight play. “I thought it was outstanding and the reaction of the team to get up there, from one end to the other…
“It hurts opposition teams when they think they have you boxed in and you find a way out. That’s really, really pleasing to see and the support play that came in behind was good.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to comments