Super Rugby Aotearoa: Blues player ratings vs Chiefs
The Blues had their second impressive victory on the trot in Super Rugby Aotearoa with 24-12 victory over the Chiefs. It’s also their 5th win in a row on the road.
On a wet and wild Waikato night the Blues had a big challenge on their hands. The conditions didn’t play into their strengths and in the first half they repeatedly shot themselves in the foot at the breakdown. They were on the wrong side of an 8-1 penalty count in the first 40 and lost Dalton Papalii for ten minutes on the eve of halftime.
The coaches delivered the remedy for their woes at halftime and the players had obviously listened and responded strongly. They only conceded 3 penalties in the 2nd half and surged away in the last quarter for an impressive victory.
15. Beauden Barrett – 8
A consummate display of game management from the new recruit. Blues fans are used to the frustration of watching their team struggle to get out of their half, not this year. Barrett ensured that the Blues had territorial dominance in the first half with only 40% possession. Then he moved to first five at 61 mins, added good direction and a cool as a cucumber dropped goal that pushed the lead to 16-12 at a crucial stage.
14. Mark Telea – 7
Had a quiet first half, but was more visible in the second 40. Good Houdini-like escape escape on defence from inside the 22 in the 43rd minute. Great scamper down his flank at 50 mins, leading to a penalty and then a cool finish to seal the deal.
13. Rieko Ioane – 6.5
Quiet night for Rieko, it’s good to see a 13 backing himself on the outside but there is a risk of being isolated. Couldn’t link with Clarke this week on the left.
12. TJ Faiane – 6.5
As usual TJ played the good link man, solid as a rock against a very good centre pairing
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
Pretty anonymous with the ball not coming his way until the last quarter as his team gained ascendency and more space. Good break at 64 mins that led to Barrett dropped goal, then pierced the defence with a strong carry that led to the 72nd minute Telea try.
10. Otere Black – 5
Black’s place kicking boots were sound, but his game seemed to go off the boil in the 2nd half. In the 45th min he poked an aimless kick that the Chiefs almost capitalised on. Then a knock on off a set piece in 58th minute led to him being substituted moments later.
9. Sam Nock – 8
The Northlander has sealed the 9 starting position with another strong outing, it’s not often Brad Weber gets outplayed. Best pass off the left hand in the country, good clearances at speed on a wet night. Off at 65 minutes.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 8.5
Great illustration of the Blues improvement. Powerful, skilful and determined. Showed the power for the first try of the night. His heart would have been in his mouth with the gutsy pass off the left hand that skipped Tupaea’s intercept attempt for Telea to score and then led the defensive effort in the last moments as the Chiefs tried to hammer their way back.
7. Dalton Papalii – 7
Big assignment marking Lachlan Boshier, and was the unlucky yellow card recipient as ref lost his patience just before halftime. Led the tackle count as he came off the naughty chair to make a difference on D.
6. Akira Ioane – 7.5
Often criticised for his workrate, he reacted well being in the spotlight with a start at blindside. Was consistent and visible with his defence and was always a threat out wide.
5. Josh Goodhue – 7
Was one of the unsung heroes in the tight. Force at the breakdown and an annoyance for the Chiefs at line out time.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 8
Big, bad behemoth in the middle of the park. Scary strength and really took the game by the scruff of neck in the last quarter to push the momentum. For the lead up to the Telea try, he soared for a line out take, had two crucial runs to straighten the attack.
3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 6.5
Purposeful on defence and at the breakdown. Blotted his copybook after taking a nap at the back of a ruck in the 55th minute that got the Chiefs back to 12-13. Luckily it wasn’t a turning point.
2. James Parsons – 7
The wily veteran played the perfect wet night game. Error free, solid line out throws and some well timed snaffles at the breakdown.
1. Alex Hodgman – 7
Big but mobile man who nullified Laulala’s scrum prowess and had a good presence at the breakdown.
Reserves:
16. Kurt Eklund, on 74 – Wobbly line out throw first up but redeemed himself with a scrum tighthead.
17. Marcel Renata, on 74
18. Sione Mafileo, on at 61
19. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, on at 61
20. Tony Lamborn
21. Finlay Christie, on at 65 – Busy with some good work on both sides of the ball
22. Harry Plummer, on at 69
23. Matt Duffie on at 61
Comments on RugbyPass
Says much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
4 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments