How the mighty have fallen. In 1996, the inaugural season of Super Rugby, the Blues won the final 45-21 against the Sharks at Eden Park. Every member of the starting XV was or became an international.
The Blues have missed the playoffs for the last six years and have only qualified twice since 2006.
In 2018, there are only ten former or present All Blacks in the entire roster with Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane the only players who could be classified as ‘rockstars.’
Has there ever been an Auckland-based rugby team so bereft of star quality?
This might be a good thing as a group of younger and unheralded players bring a fresh attitude and greater determination to establish their own reputations.
Conversely, the Blues might lack the cattle to break their finals drought in the notoriously tough New Zealand conference.
The most contentious issue in the off-season has been who will play first-five. It won’t be Hurricanes acquisition Otere Black, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in the NPC and will miss the whole of 2018.
That’s forced the Blues to sign Dan Kirkpatrick and leaves Bryn Gatland and Stephen Perofeta as the frontrunners for the starting ten jersey.
Gatland has improved markedly. Previously just a reliable tactician with a sound boot, he has grown his running game making him a greater all-round threat. He was strangely subbed after an hour when he was on fire for the New Zealand Barbarians in a close tussle with the British and Irish Lions in June.
Perofeta is in the Beauden Barrett mode and can cover fullback. He lacks the smarts of Gatland, but brings a greater flair than the North Harbour pivot which might give the Taranaki flyhalf the edge in this tussle.
A lot of the Blues success will hinge on the performances of All Blacks, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane and Jerome Kaino. The Blues forwards lack the credentials of their rivals, but these three players are capable of dominating any opposition.
There are plenty of questions facing this Blues team:
Is Jermoe Kaino a spent force?
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Can Akira Ioane perform with greater consistency and force his way into the All Blacks Test team?
Will Patrick Tuipulotu step up and become a genuine leader? Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Scott Scrafton and Jimmy Tupou are honest toilers, but hardly household names.
Openside Blake Gibson will be sorely missed at the start of the season, recovering from a shoulder injury.
Hooker James Parsons is a possible captain. He brings 79 games and previous periods as skipper to the table.
North Harbour’s Mike Tamoaieta, Tasman’s Isaac Salmon, Northland’s Matt Moulds and Wellington’s Leni Apisai are among the new tight forwards recruited. Tamoaieta is from the New Zealand Schools program and was barnstorming at times in the domestic competition and is one to keep an eye on.
The backline has a fresh and raw appearance to it.
Halfback Augustine Pulu is shaping as a key figure. The Counties scrumhalf failed to replicate his Chiefs form in 2017, but young challengers Jonathan Ruru (NZ Maori) and Sam Nock (NZ Under-20s) could push Pulu to greater heights.
The midfield will be spearheaded by Sonny Bill Williams, who has clearly lost pace but remains a potent force with his ability to offload in contact. Can George Moala recapture the form that saw him play four Tests for the All Blacks in 2015?
Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane and Melanie Nanai all have an eye for the try line, but will they get sufficient ball?
Caleb Clarke, the son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, is a big and exciting winger who did a lot of damage at the IRB Junior World Championships in June and with opportunity and confidence could make an impact.
What impact will the Blues have? This squad has nothing to lose, but it’s hard to see them making the playoffs.
allblackfan
Guest
The other week, Israel Folau conceded that he almost was on the verge of joining the Blues! Folau and SBW together in the midfield (or anywhere else for that matter) would certainly have livened the team up. (The less said about Benji, the better!) Tana seems to be slowly righting the ship; the players need to respond. Have to say that Parsons impresses me.
Muzzo
Guest
Hi RT, Yep it's something Iv'e always remembered from back as a young buck, & in truth, it is a fact, virtually proven, by the provinces that have had the greatest success, in holding down the Log O Wood. Yeh, we know it's also got something to do with that intense rivalry between North & South, as in Mainland v Pig Island. LOL. Cheers.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
” When Auckland
& Canterburyrugby, is strong, New Zealand rugby is in a good place”. You almost got it right Muz!Muzzo
Guest
Anyone would have to be a fool, to under estimate any Blue's team. True they have been suffering from the "blues", over the last season or so, but from that particular franchise, there is fantastic depth, as virtually all the New Zealand franchises, do have the odd player that originates, from the Blue's area. It's a big blow, that they have lost Steven Luatua, to off shore interests, but I don't blame him, as he is a quality player, & well worth, what he is earning now. Of the new brigade, I'm really looking forward to seeing the likes of youngsters, Steven Perofeta & Eroni's young fella Caleb, go around this coming season. Give these fella's some blooding, & I'm sure we will see the benefit of them in years to come. As the old saying goes, " When Auckland & Canterbury rugby, is strong, New Zealand rugby is in a good place".
Stu B
Guest
How the mighty have fallen how embarrassing when an Australian team couldn't snitch a win from them.
To Be Rugby
Guest
It just beggars belief that a city the size of Auckland (4 times the respective catchment populations of Canterbury, Wellington and Waikato and at least 10 times the catchment of Otago) with its vast club and school system and its proud history of Super Rugby, NPC, Ranfurly Shield and All Black stardom, can now be a full generation of players away from its last Super Rugby success. How is it possible?
Old Bugger
Guest
I know all about Aumua and I wish him all the best but, he wasn't around 3yrs ago when Harris got selected. If it wasn't for Harris' injuries, the likelihood could've been that Codie Taylor, never gets a chance - he did and, he made the most of them while Harris was sidelined with season injuries, 2yrs running. Cooper has a lot more worries than who is playing at No10. His biggest concern as I mentioned, is how he goes about getting his game tactics conveyed across the park because IMO, I think he made a meal of his M10 SF tactics against Tasman. Coops had a team of stars in that match but, they got done by a star team. He musn't fall into the same trap, in Hamilton. Ardron is an international irrespective of what you think. His recruitment for Bay of Plenty was a welcome transfer in this year's M10 and with an NZ season under his belt, he has nowhere but onwards and upwards, to play next season. Funny thing is - he impressed the Chiefs forwards coach whilst in Canada, sufficiently enough to convince Coops, to recruit him. I guess, his form next year will no doubt be high on your list of reviews and critiques.
SingingTheBlues
Guest
When talking about Harris in the ABs by default it's not Parsons who i'm thinking about it's Aumua....there's a reason Aumua got selected in the ABs before even playing a minute of Super Rugby, it's a matter of time before he takes Harris' spot in the ABs. I think Cooper will have more worries than that, for starters his number 10 - he's lost a class act in Cruden and the guy that's replacing him (DMac) had an absolute shocker last time he played 10, which incidentally was in a team coached by Cooper (Maori v British & Irish Lions). Your point on internationals gets a little weak when one of the internationals you speak of plays for Canada. Canada are in danger of not even qualifying for the World Cup.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
and you are an EXPERT of course? But I do agree on one point...get rid of Dalton....he is a barrier to any go forward momentum for the Blues....o/wise the rest is just you opinion and it matters to no one but YOU!
Old Bugger
Guest
You do realise why I bracketed Messam, with Seu and Brown?? It means 7 internationals instead of 8........
Old Bugger
Guest
So, if Harris is by default then that must've happened 3yrs ago, when he first got selected. The only reason why he never managed a consistent selection is due to injuries....but, who cares cos, he's there now and he keeps Parsons on the sidelines, if that's who you are thinking about. Oh and btw, the jury will always be out when it comes to a change of regime....just like it was for Tana or just like it will be for Aaron Mauger, at Highlanders. Mauger's problems will be seen next season- Tana's we have already seen. However Cooper's concerns will only be, how difficult he may find himself operating and coaching, a team with so much experience.
KiwiHaydn
Guest
No quality 10, no Blues in the playoffs. Will be a battle for the NZ wooden spoon with the Chiefs.
Cuw
Guest
i think u lost a lot of good heads in big Charlie, Luatua and Ranger. especially Ranger was having a great time in Miter 10. two news guys to be excited about - Dalton Papali'i the U20 flanker was quite good at U20 and Miter 10. he may become valuable with Gibson out for a while. Mat Johnson also looked good in Miter 10 ( i think he came from league - or so the commentary kept on saying). i liked his midfield defence. and as everybody knows, the whole thing will depend on the 10 of the day and how he guides the team around. i still believe BLUES could have done with an older head , but then .... Props New Zealand Alex Hodgman New Zealand Sione Mafileo Tonga Pauliasi Manu New Zealand Isaac Salmon Samoa Mike Tamoaieta New Zealand Ofa Tu'ungafasi Hookers New Zealand Leni Apisai New Zealand Matt Moulds New Zealand James Parsons Locks New Zealand Gerard Cowley-Tuioti New Zealand Josh Goodhue New Zealand Scott Scrafton New Zealand Patrick Tuipulotu New Zealand Jimmy Tupou Loose forwards New Zealand Blake Gibson New Zealand Akira Ioane New Zealand Jerome Kaino New Zealand Dalton Papali'i New Zealand Glenn Preston New Zealand Kara Pryor New Zealand Murphy Taramai Halfbacks (Scrum-halves) New Zealand Sam Nock New Zealand Augustine Pulu New Zealand Jonathan Ruru First Five-Eighths (Fly-halves) New Zealand Otere Black New Zealand Bryn Gatland New Zealand Daniel Kirkpatrick New Zealand Stephen Perofeta Midfielders (Centres) New Zealand T. J. Faiane New Zealand Matty Johnson New Zealand George Moala New Zealand Tamati Tua New Zealand Sonny Bill Williams Wings New Zealand Caleb Clarke New Zealand Michael Collins New Zealand Matt Duffie New Zealand Rieko Ioane Fullbacks New Zealand Jordan Trainor Samoa Melani Nanai
SingingTheBlues
Guest
Good point. I think 7-8 internationals while true is stretching it a bit - Messam looked completely shot/past it this year and Harris is only in the ABs by default. The Blues themselves have 5 internationals + 2 who have been in AB squads (Pauliasi Manu and Blake Gibson) Point taken though - Chiefs pack is very solid. The jury is just out for me what impact the changing of regimes at the Chiefs will have.
Old Bugger
Guest
STB Its in the pack where the Blues will have to overcome the Chiefs because if they don't, then there's some talent in the Chiefs backline, to cause some serious worries, for the Blues and other teams. How's this for a Chiefs pack - Hames, Harris, Laulala, Bird, Retallick, Cane, Seu/Brown/Messam and Ardron. Probably 7-8 internationals, in the starting pack. Overcome that pack and, the Blues could very well make a game of it, against the Chiefs.
SingingTheBlues
Guest
Agreed although i'd argue Luatua is an even bigger loss.
Taylorman
Guest
Faumuinas a big loss...
Taylorman
Guest
Never worries me rugby, Ive still got the VHS tapes?
SingingTheBlues
Guest
Nice write up. The positives are - Some of the dead wood has been sent packing (see Sam Prattley not selected - addition by subtraction). - They have a good young talented 10 who has the chance to make the 10 jersey his own (Perofeta) - SBW hopefully playing a lot more of the season - he never really got going for the Blues in 2017 until the British and Irish Lions game where he was the best player on the field. He is a huge factor in making the Blues backline go The negatives - losses of Luatua and Faumuina, terrific Super rugby players - their replacements are Super Rugby rookies albeit talented - Blake Gibson missing first part of Super Rugby - the Blues most consistent player - loss of Otere Black - would have given Blues a great rotation at 10 with Perofeta but not to be this year - dubious leadership - where's the leadership coming from? Blues have been lacking quality leadership for a very long time - players standing up in this area will go a long way. Blues draw is very tough and Blues have to play 8 NZ derbies as opposed to 6 this most recent season. On the other hand the Chiefs have lost Kerr-Barlow, Cruden and coach Rennie so there may be an opportunity for the Blues to get off the bottom of the NZ conference.
Machooka
Roar Guru
You? :)