With the vibrant and stark change in colour of skipper Patrick Tuipulotu’s hair, a revolutionised Blues squad seems to take 2020 by storm.
With New Zealand being the only country able to re-open rugby, Kobelco Steelers star and former All Black – the legendary Dan Carter – flocked to join the Blues’ ranks as a player-coach.
The All Blacks legend has shown in Japan that he is certainly still match-capable and possesses his sublime ball skills and kicking prowess. With the years of experience he brings to Blues, this is reflected in a significant improvement in the grade of play by flyhalf Otere Black. In the first post-COVID match, Black nailed a bullseye accurate clean sheet in kicking against the Hurricanes. He was also a crucial pivot in directing the ball play and as a playmaker.
Beauden Barrett – 2016 and 2017 world player of the year – now has a man who was teammates with him in the 2015 World Cup as a player-coach.
Tough-as-nails defence
In their recent clashes with other Super Rugby sides, we have witnessed the Blues’ defence knitting together like chain mail, and the Crusaders clash highlighted it with men like the dynamic Mark Telea making dominant hits on opposition players. The exception was the latest clash with the Hurricanes in Wellington.
(Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Player-level impacts
Several men star to bring the Blues to a whole new level.
Forward pack
Tom Robinson (lock-flank)
One of the more versatile forwards in Super Rugby, the big forward has what it takes to contest for a spot in the All Blacks’ forward pack. With the departure of Kieran Read opening up a hole, Robinson – along with other back rowers – compete for the spot in the starting XV. He is an extremely hard worker who shores up the defence, making tackle after tackle and clocking up the tackle count.
Patrick Tuipolutu (lock)
The Blues captain, as always, is maintaining a solid defensive record and leads in defence by example.
Hoskins Sotutu (back row)
The new number eight burst onto the Super Rugby scene with fearsome-ness. He possesses multiple talents that are expected of an All Blacks number eight. His large size gives him a domination in the game. This boosts his defensive abilities from the base of his excellent tackling. Competent ball skills and his hard-carry abilities create his lethality in attack. This world-class player is a key piece in the Blues’ set.
(Photo by Fiona Goodall/Getty Images)
Two other key components are flanker Dalton Papalii and props Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Tu’inukuafe. Meanwhile, Akira Ioane is a competent replacement for the back row.
Back line
Otere Black (flyhalf)
The star flyhalf has been in roaring form for his past few games. His deadly consistency in nailing shots as a kicker allows the Blues to have a reliable kicker to convert their points. This is clearly why Blues are doing better this season as opposed to the last two, in which a split between Otere Black and the erratic Harry Plummer caused the Blues to have a great downfall.
Black’s game management skills in distribution and his out-of-hand kicking allows the Blues to have a strong pivot. This allows Beauden Barrett out wide to have more freedom of play.
An All Black-quality midfield
TJ Faiane
A new man on the scene, TJ Faiane has proven himself with a noticeable defensive impact and a dynamic presence in the midfield with attacking prowess.
Rieko Ioane
A brilliant 2017 and 2018 seemed to lead up to a stellar 2019, but the wing/centre disappointed in 2019. Overall, his Super Rugby season was decent, but mediocre by his standards. His poor defence in 2019 raised eyebrows and resulted in him being dropped from the starting XV.
However, 2020’s new season saw the new wing take flight. His speed and agility have been crucial factors to the Blues and his magic with the ball opens up spaces for himself and other players.
Deadly back three
Mark Telea (winger)
The rookie wing Telea is made of serious stuff. He has one of the highest records for defenders beaten in the Super Rugby season and has been clocking up tries for the Blues as his rocket legs tear up the pitch. Other than being a superb attacker, his defensive abilities mean he is no slouch. His excellent tackling, combined with his attacking prowess, makes him one of 2020’s most well rounded players.
Caleb Clarke (back three)
His roaring form in the first match against the Hurricanes post-COVID showed us a comprehensive display of the young man’s capabilities. He is a hard ball carrier in contact, a solid defender and a lethally fast player who races across the pitch. With excellent playmakers and midfield to open up space for him, the Blues’ new game play has allowed Clarke to unleash his full potential.
Beauden Barrett
The nominee for World Rugby awards last year has brought a new edge to the Blues team. His kick-and-chase abilities, pace and creativity are fully utilised in the fullback position. His threat in the open with space and deceptive handling in play causes defenders to slip in tackles.
(Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Setbacks
In their latest clash with Wellington, they had opted for a three-playmaker format in the team with three players suitable for the flyhalf position: Black, Barrett and Plummer. Barrett was rather off form in defence, and within the first 20 minutes had been run over by Ngani Laumape twice.
Barrett may be a rather off-form defender. The Blues may do better if he were to maximise his abilities on the pitch. Clearly, Plummer’s poor defence showed against the Hurricanes in the second clash as his poor coordination resulted in opposition tries.
Finally, they made the call to substitute Plummer for Faiane, which ensured a stronger defensive presence in the midfield. In the latest match, with only half the first-team players available, the Blues were unable to assert their presence in the game.
As they take on the Chiefs on July 25, they would have winger Caleb Clarke back, but there still are several absences of key players. Meanwhile, Otere Black has been dropped to the bench after his neck injury against the Hurricanes last week while Beauden Barrett has been granted the start in the ten jersey.
Either way, this is certainly a stronger Blues squad than last year.
Pundit
Roar Guru
Lachlan Boshier has been one of the most dynamic flankers on the attack and in the ruck as well as defense. He is a pretty quick and hard runner, much like Sotutu. Nothing on Sotutu, who is equally talented, but Lachlan Boshier deserves at least a spot in the 23 Meanwhile, his performances in this year's Super Rugby have been among the best. In my opinion, while Hoskins Sotutu has been the form 8 of this year's Super Rugby, Boshier has been the form flanker of this year's Super Rugby Sam Cane has been instrumental to the Chiefs and cetainly deserves his captainship this year. Also, his form this year is far better than that of the last year. His fitness has improved, and his form has been regained. Also, he has been the man standing behind Lachlan Boshier's moments of talent. For an example, Boshier's last try against the Blues last week came off a smart pass by the flanker to set his oppostie number free. The two have forged a prolific partnership Ardie Savea has also shown to be strong as a runner on occasions. Due to his surgery last year, he has had less game time and we havent seen as much of him as the other three aforementioned. However, his performances last year mean that he cannot be denied a spot in the first XV
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I think now is Jordie’s time. Watching from afar, I would have said he was very good if not spectacular a couple of years ago. This year, he looks like he could walk into any XV in the world...in several positions
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
I like a tall fullback who can dominate in the air, has good positional sense and a big boot, I think Jordie has that more than his bro. TJ is a great player, Hurricanes are punching above their weight atm and he's probably the glue, but I've been very impressed with Umaga-Jensen, more size and power than Mullet & ALB...
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
I meant BBBBBB was a top-3 flyhalf and fullback. But if I had to pick another I might say that TJ is world-best on his day and unlucky that another guy with that same claim is also ahead of him.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Actually I’ve changed my mind about Fifita and would pick Pari Pari Parkinson – give him some test game time as Whitelock isn’t getting any younger. I think Mo’unga is the best out half in the world atm, has all the skills, plus great game management. If Beauden is one player on the bench who you reckon is world class – who is the other? Sotutu will be world class, in time. :happy:
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Nice squad. I’m not saying it’s entirely unreasonable, but it’s a bold strategy to have a world top 3 player (in 2 positions) on the bench.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Exactly JD. How good were the Ioane brothers on Sunday. Reiko was focused and sharp and yes, mostly because TJ was inside him. Akira was excellent too. The Blues were lucky to get away with that game though but at the same time I can understand why the players are starting to lose faith in the refs. Some of those calls are absolute bell ringers.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I don’t understand how they can leave Faiane out. He brings such balance to the midfield and is the rock that allows Reiko to flourish. Makes good decisions and executed them.
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Thanks Pundit. I've been loving the SR Aotearoa, the skills have been just sublime! Here's my neutrals choice AB team (omitting injuries) 15 Jordie Barrett 14 R. Ioane 13 Anton L-Brown 12 Mullet Goodhue 11 Sevu Reeece 10 Richie Mo'unga 9 Aaron Smith 1 Joe Moody 2 Codie Taylor 3 Tu'ungafasi 4 Tuipulotu 5 Whitelock 6 Shannon Frizell 7 Sam Cane (C) 8 Ardie Savea 16 Coles 17 Hodgman 18 Laulala 19 Vaea Fifita 20 Hoskins Sotutu 21 TJ Perenara 22 Peter Umaga-Jensen 23 Beauden Barrett
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Hey Pundit, good write up. What a team hey. If it weren't for injuries and dumb selections who knows, they could be at the top of the table by now. Theres a lot riding on today's game after last night's result between the Canes and Crusaders. The blues win this and also finish off the Highlanders, that final game v Crusaders all of a sudden becomes the game of the year and may even end up being the SuperAot decider. Today I'm hoping to see a couple of improvements from some key players. Plummer is on the bench which is a good start. Put plainly he lacks courage. His defensive reads last week were so diabolical and Faiane brings more than defence, he also brings leadership. He will be the vocal steadier they need in the backline that was lacking last where Reiko was a mental mess and was back to his old antics again of boasting and chehooing early while having a verbal stoush with someone and just so happened to be the best player in the Canes, Perenara. If he would just sthu act like an elite professional he could go down in history as a great All Black. Akira needs to make faster decisions at the base of the scrum. His fiddling with the ball is creating issues with the power of the scrum and also causing Christie clean service too. I can't wait to see BB at 10. The team have better direction with him there and we should see a more cohesive, confident and structured team performance from the blues today. Black has done a good job so far but he's like your mum's boyfriend who the kids kinda listen to but then Dad (BB) gets home and all of a sudden the kids are running to complete their chores and reporting back to him on progress. GO THE BLUES.