Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Blues won't retreat into their shells against the Crusaders says Barrett

By Ben Smith
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Blues 20-19 victory over the Brumbies sealed a date with Scott Robertson’s Crusaders side in next week’s final at Eden Park where the two clubs will meet again after a thrilling encounter in Round 9.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Crusaders will be searching for a sixth title in six years after three straight Super Rugby titles followed by two domestic ones in 2020 and 2021, however this will be just the second time under Robertson they contest a final away from home.

Their first championship under Robertson was perhaps their most unlikely, upsetting the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg 25-17 for a famous away win. They will have to repeat that feat again as they will likely be priced as slight underdogs in a final for the first time since then.

Video Spacer

Hurricanes and Highlanders season debrief | The Breakdown

Video Spacer

Hurricanes and Highlanders season debrief | The Breakdown

Blues captain Beauden Barrett explained that ‘this is the final everyone wanted and we wanted’ following the semi-final win, where the 30-year-old first five will attempt to claim his second Super Rugby title after a magnificent season with the Blues.

“There’ll be plenty of that [emotion] in the media – especially social media,” Barrett said of the anticipation for the final. 

“How well we stay focussed and prepare is so critical this week, and not letting any of that external noise divert our attention. We’ve got to enjoy the week. It’s our last one, it’s guaranteed.

“How tight we stay together and stick to what we’ve been doing and trust that, I think that’s what this week will be all about.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Blues were slow out of the gate against the Highlanders in the first half last week and this week it was the second half as they struggled to register a single point.

Those jitters are hopefully behind them says Barrett, who is confident the side won’t retreat into their shell like they have in periods across the first two playoff games.

“Potentially, but we’ve had a bit of a taste of finals footy in the last two weeks. You could treat them as dress rehearsals. I think already there’s a lot more excitement because it is
the final week,” he said.

“Although we’ve been treating each game like a final, it’s THE final. So there’s no time to go into our shells, it’s time to express ourselves and just embrace the challenge and enjoy it.”

ADVERTISEMENT

After giving up a try in the first three minutes against the Brumbies, the Blues hit their stride during a period of attack in the first half where fullback Stephen Perofeta sliced through the Brumbies on a kick return. After some powerful running up the middle, No 8 Hoskins Sotutu crashed over to give the Blues the lead for the first time.

Barrett said that was the Blues playing their most potent game, utilising their power runners at a high tempo to bulldoze through teams.

“That’s us playing at our best,” he said of the passage of play leading to their first try.

“It was not an ideal way to start the game, letting in a set-piece try like that, but the way we bounced back, we showed some great composure and found our groove a lot quicker than we did probably last week anyway.

“That’s us at our best, carrying the ball well and playing on top of teams – keeping it pretty simple.”

The Blues pair of playmakers combined late in the first half after a similar destructive passage of phase play. When the chance to go wide came, a damaging run by Barrett beat a handful of Brumbies defenders. He found an offload for Perofeta to keep the play alive before the Blues’ fullback quickly connected with Mark Telea to score in the corner.

The combination between Perofeta and Barrett has been firing over the back half of the season and will be critical to a Blues’ victory next week against the Crusaders.

“Absolutely,” Barrett said when asking if he was clicking with Perofeta, “I feel really comfortable with our connection and how calm he is as a player but also at critical times, he’s a great communicator and we understand how we both need it in those moments.

“He’s playing with confidence at the moment and he’s really backing himself and we’ve seen that for a while now and I’m really happy for him.

“We know what this team needs from the both of us and there will be a fair amount of responsibility on our shoulders to play well tactically next week – as there is any week.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 5 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle England No8 Sarah Beckett banned after leg-breaking croc roll tackle
Search