It’s been seven long years since the Blues made the Super Rugby finals, and the Auckland side are likely to continue their rut as the worst of the New Zealand franchises.
This is the third part of our Super Rugby preview series for 2019, where will run through the Auckland-based club and their projections, problems and areas of much-needed improvement for the season ahead.
Blues
Coach: Leon Macdonald
Captain: Blake Gibson and Patrick Tuipulotu
Major signings: Marcel Renata (Hurricanes), Karl Tu’inukuafe (Chiefs), Ma’a Nonu (Toulon), Levi Aumua (Chiefs)
Major departures: Pauliasi Manu (Sunwolves), Jerome Kaino (Toulouse), Bryn Gatland (Chiefs), Kara Pryor (Sunwolves)
Squad
Blake Gibson (c), Patrick Tuipulotu (c), Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Sione Mafileo, Matt Moulds, James Parsons, Marcel Renata, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Josh Goodhue, Jacob Pierce, Scott Scrafton, Jed Brown, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Hoskins Sotutu, Jimmy Tupou, Sam Nock, Augustine Pulu, Jonathan Ruru, Otere Black, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Levi Aumua, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Tanielu Tele’a, Sonny Bill Williams, Caleb Clarke, Michael Collins, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane, Melani Nanai, Jordan Trainor
Last season
Won 4, lost 12, finished last in the New Zealand Conference, 14th overall
Given the side weren’t expected to reach any great heights in 2018, the Blues’ season didn’t start off all that badly. They lost by seven points to the Highlanders and six to the Chiefs, and then shocked the Lions away from home.
Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse after that. They were beaten well by the Stormers and conceded 63 points to the Sharks on home soil either side of a bye.
With the exception of those results and the last two defeats of the year against the Highlanders and Crusaders, their losses were competitive ones.
That wasn’t enough for Tana Umaga to stay on as the side’s coach. He stepped down to assistant at the end of last year, with Leon MacDonald now at the helm.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Strengths
The Blues have a fair bit of Test experience on their roster, particularly in the backline.
Winger Reiko Ioane is a genuine superstar – even if he was played out of position in the centres too much last year – and his brother Akira isn’t too far from becoming one too, albeit in the forward pack.
Sonny Bill Williams remains a proven performer and will be eyeing off a strong season to seal a place in New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup squad at the end of the year, while the return of All Blacks champion Ma’a Nonu adds plenty of class and experience, even if he’s not quite as sprightly as he once was.
There’s also some quality in the front row. While depth may be lacking, likely starting props Karl Tu’inukuafe and Ofa Tu’ungafasi are capable of battering oppositions in the opening hour of matches.
Tu’inukuafe arrives from the Chiefs and with the 25-year-old loosehead prop having 13 All Blacks caps to his name, he could prove a difference-maker for the Blues this year.
Reiko Ioane is one of the best wingers in world rugby. (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Weaknesses
The Blues lacked direction last year. Their decision making was poor, and they’d make silly errors and give away penalties in crucial spots to ensure they were never on top of games, allowing opposition teams to beat them down the final stretch.
Stephen Perofeta, who’s blessed with talent, a good running game, and not much in the way of game management yet, will need to step up at flyhalf to guide this side around the park. There will also be plenty of pressure on new coach MacDonald to get things running far more smoothly out on the field.
Related
Perhaps the Blues’ biggest hurdle to a successful year is an unavoidable one: their schedule. Were they in any other conference, they’d likely have enough to snare a finals spot, but going up against the rest of New Zealand’s imposing Super Rugby sides makes their lot an unenviable one.
Prediction
It’s hard to see the Blues improving all that much in 2019. They struggled 12 months ago, and while Nonu and Karl Tu’inukuafe are quality recruits, neither will do much to address the side’s poor game management and depth in key playmaking positions.
2019 will be another year to forget in Auckland.
Prediction: Fifth in the New Zealand Conference, 13th overall
The Roar’s 2019 Super Rugby preview series
4. Highlanders
5. Chiefs
6. Rebels
7. Sharks
8. Waratahs
9. Jaguares
10. Brumbies
11. Bulls
12. Stormers
13. Blues
14. Reds
15. Sunwolves
Faith
Roar Rookie
The keyboard miles we all spend on the Blues. Again they have the weakest halves combination and that's really it because that's where their lack of clear gameplan comes from. Landers I might also note will have the same problem without Sopoaga even if Banks is back. For the first time in an 18 man comp NZ will only have 3 sides in Finals with S.A having 3 for the first time and Oz two (in what is a very balanced conference).
Richie
Guest
Perofeta plays for Taranaki in the Mitre 10 cup so had no hand in Aucklands championship campaign. Otere Black is the right choice here with Perofeta perhaps even getting a run at 15 like he did in the back end of last year
taylorman
Roar Guru
Blues had a convincing hit out vs Chiefs in Kaikohe scoring 40 odd so looking good. Pleasing was the physical domination that the Chiefs were lacking. Chiefs buy Levi Aumua looks exciting and will be interesting if he gets to push nonu or sbw in the midfield. Akira was very busy which supports sme views that he could still be the bolter for 2019 as were Nehe MS and Lomu in world cup years. Most promising Blues year ahead for over a decade, especially with a Saders influence in the new coach and Midas King Henry sneaking in there for Auckland at mitre 10, some of it bound to seep through to the top side.
CUW
Roar Rookie
Blues will definitely play beter this season and win some matches especially the NZ matches - which will screwe up the table and give opportunities to lesser teams in the composite table. Blues have been good - but not good enuf to beat home teams . had they been in another sector they would have been among the top 6
CUW
Roar Rookie
on paper Blues have a lot of talent - but translating that into results has been a problem for a long time i wonder if their faith on Otere to be the ONE will pay off? for many years i was hoping they will pick up an old 10 to guide them and boss them. also wonder if Levi Aumua will get a chance given Nonu n SBW are there to play 12 and perhaps 13. Props New Zealand Alex Hodgman New Zealand Ezekiel Lindenmuth New Zealand Sione Mafileo New Zealand Marcel Renata New Zealand Karl Tu'inukuafe 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 Jacob Pierce New Zealand Scott Scrafton New Zealand Patrick Tuipulotu Loose forwards New Zealand Jed Brown New Zealand Blake Gibson (c) New Zealand Akira Ioane New Zealand Dalton Papalii New Zealand Tom Robinson New Zealand Hoskins Sotutu New Zealand Jimmy Tupou 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 Stephen Perofeta New Zealand Harry Plummer Midfielders (Centres) New Zealand Levi Aumua New Zealand TJ Faiane New Zealand Ma'a Nonu New Zealand Tanielu Tele’a New Zealand Sonny Bill Williams Outside backs New Zealand Caleb Clarke New Zealand Michael Collins New Zealand Matt Duffie New Zealand Rieko Ioane Samoa Melani Nanai New Zealand Jordan Trainor
Fox
Roar Guru
Otere Black was missing all last year and he is a good 10 and Stephen Perofeta was outstanding in the Mitre 10 cup for the Blues and was a key reason they took the championship. He is very young still but is very talented young player who is only getting better and quick.
warugbynut
Guest
I just don't see any clever leadership/tactical type players in the squad........ heaps of talent yes ......
Fox
Roar Guru
The problem for the Blues in recent years has been poor coaching - poor man management and endless injuries....they most certainly have the side that can beat anyone on their day and man-for-man are better looking side on paper than some of the Australian sides. This year I believe they finally have got the right coach who comes steeped in the Canterbury/ Crusaders rugby culture. They have also recruited well and have several key players, at long last, back from injury. But they simply must settle on a starting 1st five and for me that should be OB because he has good game management but got a season ending injury last season. Nonu's experience and class should also not be underestimated. They may use him off the bench at 12 with SBW at centre putting IMO, the best winger in the world, Reiko Ioane playing in that position. His brother is on the cusp of a sterling season this year IMO. I think they will be a very different side this season and let's not forget that many of their losses last season were close contests. It may take 3-4 game for them to find their rhythm but then they could really surprise this year. It's a pretty dam strong pack with the new signings and very dangerous backline - but it need to be lead well at 10.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Pretty well summed up. Nonu is like AAC he playes a lot better in National colours. SBW will not have to steal a spot in the WC side ; if fit he’ll be their in spades.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
This franchise needs a good season on the back of Aucklands Mitre 10 Cup season. Rugby playing numbers in Auckland are gradually declining and young kids need to see some succsss to inspire them. They should be more competitive this year. I think having Tuipulotu in a leadership role will see the best of out of him. Having Karl Tu’inukuafe should bolster the forward pack and a potential backrow of Papalii, Gibson and Akira Ioane excites me. In the backs whoever they go with first up at first five needs to be stuck with. All 3 a young players and juggling them won’t allow them any consistent opportunities to build themselves as the general. I would prefer Otere Black. Has a calm head and can make good decisions for an exciting backline.
Divided Loyalties
Roar Rookie
Hope Nonu can quickly cement himself at 2nd five/inside centre because his decisions on when to kick and when to crash into contact are more developed than SBW's. Should help young Perafeta steer the back line. Can SBW play outside centre and stay uninjured for once? Auckland winning the Mitre 10 comp in 2018, after a decade of failure, will inspire the younger players stepping up from domestic rugby. Expecting better organisation under Leon McDonald ... Finishing tenth?