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Watch: 'Deadly' Mark Telea sends reminder to New Zealand that the Blues have two superstar wings
Since Super Rugby Aotearoa kicked off last month, Caleb Clarke on the Blues’ left wing has received plenty of plaudits for his impressive performances – especially in the Blues’ narrow win over the Highlanders two weeks ago.
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Mark Telea, who was a permanent fixture on the same wing prior to the Super Rugby suspension in March but shifted to the right-hand side of the park to accommodate for Clarke post-lockdown has sent a healthy reminder to the wider New Zealand public that opposition teams have to key their eyes peeled for both Blues wingers.
In tonight’s top-of-the-table clash, the Blues dominated possession and territory in the opening minutes and found themselves camped inside the Crusaders’ 22 early in the first quarter.
A heads-up play saw new halfback Finlay Christie spin the ball wide to Otere Black, who floated a beautiful skip pass out to the right wing where Telea was eagerly waiting.
With the cover defence rushing to greet Telea, the cool-as-ice speedster dove for the corner and pumped the ball onto the turf with one hand, avoiding the attention of Crusaders fullback David Havili.
? How about that for a finish? Big Mark Telea dives gracefully into the corner to give @BluesRugbyTeam the lead over the @crusadersrugby with the first try of this blockbuster @superrugbynz showdown ? #CRUvBLU pic.twitter.com/hlCCkoB00f
— Sky Sport NZ (@skysportnz) July 11, 2020
It was an audacious finish from the man who’s been relatively quiet since Super Rugby Aotearoa kicked off – bar a highlights reel-worthy fend in the opening weekend of the competition.
Moments after Telea’s score, which took the Blues out to a 7-0 lead with Black’s conversion, the New Zealand, South Africa and Samoa qualified wing was causing havoc for the Crusaders again, returning a kick in earnest. After a high Crusaders ball hit the turf, Telea pounced and skirted down the field, swerving around Havili in the process.
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The impressive run was almost too effective, with none of Telea’s supporting players available for a pass in open space that could well have seen the Blues go two tries ahead.
Telea’s general play and defence throughout the first half of the match was also of high quality at all times and fans took to social media to praise the blockbusting wing.
What a finish from Telea after a fantastic pass from Black.
This game has been very fun to watch.
Barrett and Sotutu are on one, too.#CRUvBLU
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) July 11, 2020
Mark Telea??? #CRUvBLU
— MBATHANE (@Lamla_Roji95) July 11, 2020
Telea finishing in 2020 has been
?? #CRUvBLU ?— Lou ? (@loumnandi) July 11, 2020
Pencil in Mark Telea for an @AllBlacks jersey
Sorry @manusamoa, you just have no money and your admin's messed up.#CRUvBLU— Brian Kolia (@BKolia) July 11, 2020
Telea is winning the battle at the moment on that wing
— Darren Carlson (@darrencarlson_) July 11, 2020
Mark Telea’s handoff – the most deadly left hand since Wasim Akram #tongueincheek #CRUvBLU #RugbyAotearoa
— Graeme Peacock (@graemepeacock05) July 11, 2020
Mark Telea is only 23 too, the Blues could be very good for a very long time #CRUvBLU #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Rhys Knott (@buck_mitchell) July 11, 2020
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When you do a clearance kick then see Teleà coming. #CRUvBLU #SuperRugby pic.twitter.com/2I7g31tnM3
— Such Is Life…. (@EnslinMavunga) July 11, 2020
Hell yeaa. That's the way to show them. Nice one Telea. #CRUvBLU
— Such Is Life…. (@EnslinMavunga) July 11, 2020
Telea is really up for this one!!! #CRUvBLU
— Paul from New Zealand Sport Radio (@DrivingMaul) July 11, 2020
Couple of penalties creeping in for the Blues as the Crusaders knock on the door, but they've stayed solid at the tryline.
Great work here as Telea reads the play, tackles Havili back into the heart of the Blues defence and Papali'i comes in with the textbook turnover#CRUvBLU pic.twitter.com/qY07F9O9xJ
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) July 11, 2020
I know it’s totally wishful thinking, and probably quite greedy given the amount of depth SA have at wing… but a part of me would love to see Telea play for South Africa. What an outstanding player #SuperRugbyAotearoa #CRUvBLU
— AP Rugby (@rugby_ap) July 11, 2020
The Blues led the Crusaders 7-6 at halftime after conceding two penalty kicks late in the first stanza.
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays 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…
5 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.
25 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.
11 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!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 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
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments