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Today we are going to have a look at the best ever Blues Super Rugby team.
First, here is the final best ever Bulls XV selected and many thanks to those who commented:
Fullback – Johan Roets (Zane Kirchner out)
Wings – Bryan Habana and Akona Ndungane
Centres – Etienne Botha and Andre Snyman (Wynand Olivier out)
First five – Morne Steyn
Halfback – Joost van der Westhuizen
Number 8 – Dannie Roussow (Pierre Spies out)
Flankers – Ruben Kruger and Pedrie Wannenburg
Locks – Victor Matfield (c) and Bakkies Botha (Krynauw Otto out)
Props – Gurthro Steenkamp and Werner Kruger
Hooker – Gary Botha
Today’s team is the Blues, based in New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland.
The Blues were originally formed as the Auckland Blues at the start of Super Rugby in 1996, along with four other franchises in New Zealand.
The Auckland Blues originally represented the Thames Valley, Counties Manakau and Auckland Rugby Unions from the top of the North Island, however swapped two unions, Counties Manakau and Thames Valley, for North Harbour and Northland with the Waikato Chiefs in 1999.
Along with the other New Zealand franchises, the regional identifier was dropped in 2000 and have since been simply the Blues.
The Blues started off Super Rugby as one of the pre-tournament favourites and lived up to their billing, winning the inaugural tournament in 1996 and backing-up the following year by claiming the title undefeated.
1998 would also prove to be a successful year for the franchise, narrowly missing out on the hat trick to the Crusaders in the final.
1999-2002 would represent a lean period for the franchise, finishing no higher than sixth with the franchise’s worst year in 2001, finishing 11th.
The franchise had looked to return to its winning ways, claiming their third title in 2003, but this was unable to be backed up in the remaining years of Super 12, finishing fifth and seventh respectively.
2006 would see Super 12 become Super 14 and the Blues managed eighth in the first year of the expanded competition.
2007 would see a return to the playoffs, bowing out in the semi-final to the Sharks, however the balance of the Super 14 years were unkind to the Blues, failing to feature in the playoffs again.
2011 saw the advent of Super Rugby and conferences and this appeared to be more to the Blues liking, making the playoffs before being knocked out at the semi-final stage by the eventual champions, the Reds.
2012 and 2013 would not see the Blues in the playoffs, both years finishing in the bottom third of the table.
The Blues have struggled for consistency in many seasons and 2014 does not seem to be any different, with a first-up away loss to a committed Highlanders, a convincing home win over the Crusaders and then a lacklustre performance against the Bulls at Loftus.
There is some incredible and exciting talent in this Blues team and they have every reason to be confident in their playoff aspirations, however it remains to be seen whether they have discovered the secret to consistent week in, week out football and I am not certain they will feature in this year’s playoffs.
To recap on the rules –
• Players that have played for two or more teams will be eligible for the team they have earned the most caps for
• I will change my selections based on receiving three or more votes received for an alternative – any potential stalemates will be decided by the player with the most international caps
Just quickly, can I ask that you post your own preferences where they differ from my own, just makes it a bit easier to monitor.
Here are my selections for the all-time Blues Super Rugby:
Blues Super All-time XV
Fullback – Isaia Toeava
Wings –Joeli Vidiri and Rupeni Caucaunibuca
Centres – Craig Innes and Eroni Clarke
First five – Carlos Spencer
Halfback – Mark Robinson
Number 8 – Zinzan Brooke
Flankers – Michael Jones and Jerome Kaino
Locks – Robin Brooke and Ali Williams
Props – Craig Dowd and Olo Brown
Hooker – Sean Fitzpatrick
What do you think Roarers? Agree or Disagree? If you don’t, please post your preferred selections below.
The next team we will be looking at are the Crusaders from New Zealand.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.