Blues Keep Feet on the Ground Ahead of ACT Brumbies Clash
Staying grounded after the ease of their 60-20 win over the Highlanders will be the key for the Blues when meeting the Brumbies in Melbourne tomorrow.
Assistant coach Dan Halangahu said there were enough areas for improvement to ensure they were not carried away with their opening effort.
“They harassed us at the breakdown, slowed a lot of our ball and, particularly from set piece, we didn’t launch as well as we would have liked.
“We were pleased with some of the turnover attack and how we punished the Highlanders when they dropped the ball.
“The way we turned the ball over and really made them pay…some of our guys are great athletes and used to running the ball. But, the way they were able to share the ball, and make good decisions to finish those opportunities, that was a pleasing aspect.” However, the lack of discipline from the Blues was an area of concern. The Highlanders scored twice in the last moments of the first half when the Blues had players sin-binned.
“We let them into the game just before halftime and we know against a team like the Brumbies you can’t do that.”
TOMORROW'S FIXTURES AND LINE-UP
3pm: Blues v Brumbies
BLUES (1-15): Joshua Fusitu’a, Ricky Riccitelli, James Lay, Patrick Tuipulotu, Cameron Suafoa, Tom Robinson/Adrian Choat, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta RESERVES: Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, Marcel Renata, James Tucker, Adrian Choat/Anton Segner,
Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
BRUMBIES (1-15 James Slipper, Lachlan Lonergan, Allan Alaalatoa (c), Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Pete Samu, Ryan Lonergan,
Jack Debreczeni, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: John Ulugia, Blake Schoupp, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Luke Reimer, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe
Assistant referees: James Doleman, Angus Mabey
5:30pm: Blues v Brumbies FORCE
(1-15): Tom Robertson, Folau Fainga’a, Santiago Medrano, Jeremy Williams, Jeremy Thrush, Tim Anstee, Ollie Callan, Michael Wells, Issak FinesLeleiwasa, Bryce Hegarty, Zach Kibirige, Hamish Stewart, Bayley Kuenzle, Manasa Mataele, Chase Tiatia
RESERVES: Tom Horton, Angus Wagner, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jackson Pugh, Ian Prio, George Poolman, Jake Strachan
REDS (1-15): Dane Zander, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (co-c) Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Tom Lynagh, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
RESERVES: Richie Asiata, Sef Fa’agase, Peni Ravai, Jake Upfield, Connor Anderson, Kalani Thomas, James O’Connor, Jock Campbell
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Nic Berry, Angus Gardner