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Emotional Blues just a 'whisker' away from maiden win
Blues head coach Leon MacDonald is confident in his side’s ability to turn around three straight losses to secure victory against the Sunwolves at QBE Stadium in Albany on Saturday.
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A narrow loss to the Crusaders at Eden Park was followed by back-to-back defeats on the road to the Sharks and Jaguares, and with no victories to speak of, their clash against the touring Japanese side looms as a must-win fixture with the franchise sitting in 13th-place on the standings.
It won’t be easy, though, as the Sunwolves come into the game off the back of their first-ever victory away from home, where they dismantled the Chiefs 30-15 in Hamilton last week.
Compounding the Blues’ on-field woes has been the sudden death of prop Mike Tamoaieta, who passed away while the squad was in Argentina last week.
The team farewelled the popular prop yesterday at his funeral, and playing on his home ground at North Harbour in special commemorative kits in Tamoaieta’s remembrance has added extra motivation for the side to do well.
Despite there being plenty of external pressure being applied on his squad, MacDonald believes it is vital for his side not to cave in and panic.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in where we’re heading and what we’re doing,” he told Stuff.
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“It’s just continuing what we’re doing. I’ve got a lot of trust we’re going to get there.
“We’re through round three of a 16-week competition, so there’s no panic from our end. The solutions are at hand and we’re working hard at them.”
Although they have ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline in their opening three matches, the Blues have showed some promise, particularly in their 24-22 loss at the hands of the Crusaders in Auckland, while they were a disallowed try away from overcoming the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
“It’s not all dire and, given the circumstances and how tough it is over there, there’s a lot to be positive about,” MacDonald said.
“We’re only a whisker away. That’s the belief we’ve got to take into the next few rounds, knowing we’re not far away at all.”
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The Sonny Bill Williams-captained side have welcomed back squad co-captain Blake Gibson, who is set to make his first appearance of the year from openside flanker, while young first-five Harry Plummer has overtaken the struggling Otere Black in the number 10 jersey.
Blues: 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. James Parsons, 3. Sione Mafileo, 4. Josh Goodhue, 5. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 6. Tom Robinson, 7. Blake Gibson, 8. Akira Ioane, 9. Augustine Pulu, 10. Harry Plummer, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Sonny Bill Williams (c), 13. TJ Faiane, 14. Tanielu Tele’a, 15. Melani Nanai
Reserves: 16. Matt Moulds, 17. Marcel Renata, 18. Lua Li, 19. Scott Scrafton, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Otere Black, 23. Levia Aumua
Sunwolves: 1. Pauliasi Manu, 2. Atsushi Sakate, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 4. Tom Rowe, 5. James Moore, 6. Hendrik Tui, 7. Shuhei Matsuhashi, 8. Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 9. Jamie Booth, 10. Rikiya Matsuda, 11. Jamie Henry, 12. Michael Little, 13. Jason Emery, 14. Gerhard an den Heever, 15. Semisi Masirewa
Reserves: 16. Nathan Vella, 17. Alex Woonton, 18. Asaeli Ai Valu, 19. Uwe Helu, 20. Dan Pryor, 21. Keisuke Uchida, 22. Hayden Parker, 23. Phil Burleigh
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments