Leon McDonald and the Blues looking to flick a switch - Super Rugby Preview 2019
It may be a new season, but the same uncertainty about the Blues’ Super Rugby hopes remain.
Ever since their last play-offs appearance in 2011, it’s been a rugged time for the Auckland-based club, who have endured their most unsuccessful period in franchise history.
Seven seasons without playing in the play-offs is a record for the side, as is their woeful win record of just 35 per cent since 2012.
The talent and potential evident within the Blues over the last few years is undeniable, but it’s the team’s lack of depth and leadership, wavering commitment levels, faulty tactical decisions, unhealthy team culture and poor management from the boardroom down that has seen this once successful team crumble.
Such ineptness in recent times from a side that claimed three titles within the first eight years of Super Rugby has forced change going into the 2019 campaign, and no change has been more significant than in the head coach role.
Leon MacDonald has been promoted from assistant to head coach, replacing former boss and All Blacks teammate Tana Umaga, who has stood down to become an assistant.
It was a move that caught many off-guard, and one that has filled the Blues faithful with plenty of optimism heading into the new season.
Umaga’s underwhelming tenure at the helm of the Blues over the last three years saw him lose the faith of the players midway through last year’s awful campaign, of which they finished in 14th place.
What followed was an ugly string of results, which culminated in a publicised off-field altercation between Blake Gibson and Rieko Ioane, which left the latter with a black eye and a cut above his eyelid which required medical glue to keep shut.
That scuffle was the result of building tension within the squad due to a constant stream of disappointing losses, but with MacDonald – who is renowned for his hard-nosed, organised approach – at the helm in 2019, onlookers can expect a more disciplined outfit.
It’s that sort of approach that could flick the switch for the Blues.
Alama Ieremia, with the assistance of defence coach Sir Graham Henry, proved with Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup that a fresh face in the coaching box who can instil discipline and hold his side accountable for their actions can work wonders.
With plenty of players coming in from that victorious Auckland side of 2018, MacDonald’s task of engraining those values in his squad should be made easier.
One of the key players coming into the Blues from Ieremia’s Auckland team is 20-year-old first-five Harry Plummer.
The youngster played an integral role in Auckland’s run to the Mitre 10 Cup title with a series of composed performances that displayed maturity far beyond his years.
Those impressive outings in the playmaking role makes a compelling argument for Plummer to start over more seasoned campaigners Stephen Perofeta and Otere Black, with the latter finally set to make his long-awaited Blues debut after a year out due to injury.
Regardless of who starts at 10, the experience of those outside them in the midfield will be invaluable.
The return of Ma’a Nonu from Toulon was the other big off-season shock along with the change of coaches, and reports coming out of Blues headquarters is that the 36-year-old is in the shape of his career.
If that’s true, then the prospect of a midfield consisting of 103-test Nonu and vice-captain Sonny Bill Williams – who is likely entering his last year with New Zealand rugby – will be daunting for opposition defences, such is the talent and wisdom that the duo possess.
Williams joins a fresh leadership group, of which is led by Gibson and lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
Both men have points to prove, with Gibson looking to overcome injuries and last year’s altercation with Ioane to put him back into contention for the All Blacks, while Tuipulotu is fighting with the likes of Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett for a spot at the World Cup.
Expect the co-captains to front up beside a solid forward pack, which has been bolstered by the addition of All Black prop Karl Tu’inukuafe to help offset the departure of club legend Jerome Kaino.
If No. 8 Akira Ioane can improve his work rate and defensive capabilities to validate the contract extension he earned last year, then those attributes, combined with his barnstorming ability with ball in hand, will prove to be lethal.
While the aforementioned names all have their strengths and have more than enough quality to take this side far, the uncertainty that has built over the last seven seasons still lingers as the Blues await their first trip to the play-offs since 2011.
So, with a new coach, fresh leadership group, and a strong-looking squad that has the potential to break the losing cycle that this franchise has found itself stuck in, the question remains the same – can the Blues snap their longest-ever play-offs drought?
Only time will tell, but with the ability in this side, they would have to be disappointed not to make the cut in 2019.
2019 Predictions:
New Zealand Conference placing: 5th
Player of the Year: Akira Ioane
Rookie of the Year: Harry Plummer
Best Signing: Ma’a Nonu
Breakout Player: Dalton Papali’i
Squad Movements:
In: Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Auckland), Marcel Renata (Hurricanes), Karl Tu’inukuafe (Chiefs), Jacob Pierce (North Harbour), Jed Brown (Tasman), Tom Robinson (Northland), Hoskins Sotutu (Auckland), Harry Plummer (Auckland), Levi Aumua (Chiefs), Ma’a Nonu (Toulon), Tanielu Tele’a (Auckland)
Out: Pauliasi Manu (Sunwolves), Isaac Salmon (released), Mike Tamoaieta (released), Ross Wright (released), Lyndon Dunshea (released), Matiaha Martin (released), Ben Nee-Nee (released), Sione Havili (released), Jeroma Kaino (Toulouse), Antonio Kiri Kiri (Yorkshire Carnegie), Glenn Preston (released), Kara Pryor (Sunwolves), Murphy Taramai (released), Bryn Gatland (Highlanders), Daniel Kirkpatrick (released), Terrence Hepetema (released), Matthew Johnson (released), Orbyn Leger (released), Tumua Manu (Chiefs), George Moala (Clermont), Tamati Tua (released), Jordan Hyland (released)
Squad:
Forwards: Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Leni Apisai, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jed Brown, Blake Gibson, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Jimmy Tupou
Backs: Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jono Ruru, Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Levi Aumua, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Tanielu Tele’a, Sonny Bill Williams, Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor
Rugby World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
26 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
1 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 Crusades , you can keep going.
1 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!😭😭😭 !!!
26 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
26 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.
26 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.
26 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
11 Go to comments