'We weren't connected': Blues coach on disappointing derby defeat

Vern Cotter and the Blues have once again found themselves on the wrong side of another close Super Rugby Pacific encounter, this time at the hands of cross-town rivals Moana Pasifika at North Harbour Stadium in Albany.

The Blues led at half time, but were unable to hold off Moana Pasifika’s strong second half performance at home, going down 27-21 on Saturday evening.

It was the Blues’ eighth loss of the season, which drops the Auckland-based franchise to seventh place, even on points with Moana Pasifika in sixth, and two points behind the Hurricanes in fifth.

Speaking to media after the match in Albany, Cotter admitted that he thought that they might get the rub of the green this week with the result, after multiple close losses this season.

“When you finish five meters from the line, yeah, it was frustrating, and when you get an opportunity to take the win, and I thought it was going to be our night where we’d win one by one point,” Cotter said.

“As it turned out, we just weren’t efficient enough in and around those five meters from the line.”

Cotter explains that he felt like his team was slightly behind the eight ball physically, possibly due to being in the last week before the bye.

“I think we felt we certainly came up against a team that was fresher. I think there was a team that was on his fifth game, one that had just come off a bye, and so then around the collisions, I think they had more horsepower in there.

“I thought we hung in there, but at the beginning of the second half, we didn’t have much ball at all. We weren’t winning the battles in the air, and then we’re struggling on the ground and around those collisions.”

Despite the disappointing loss, Cotter tried to take some positives from the match, in a game where they did have their opportunities to threaten Moana Pasifika’s defence.

“So I think we had the opportunities, they were there, but at the start of the game, we had two opportunities with two turnovers, and we found ourselves back inside our 22, so we just have to ask some good questions in and around intent into action.

“What’s your intent? How do we transform the action, that’s the key to it, there’s a lot around responsibility and staying locked in.

“But in saying that, credit to Moana Pasifika, they played well, they had us under pressure.”

Cotter was also in awe of Moana Pasifika’s captain, Ardie Savea, whose performance was recognised around the country and the world as one of the best individual performances of late.

“He inspires them, certainly. I’m sure he’s a great leader outside the game and in training, he’s inspirational just with his actions, speaks with his actions.

“I don’t think I’ve seen him play this well, he did everything.”