Blues potential

SYDNEY - Auckland Blues coach Leon MacDonald believes winning the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final could be the moment that sets his talented squad on the path to finally fulfilling its potential. MacDonald admitted it had been “scary” watching Saturday’s brutal final against the Otago Highlanders at Eden Park but the Blues clinched the win in the last 10 minutes to secure a first piece of silverware since 2003. A title in a lopsided Australasian competition -- the Australian teams won two of 25 matches -- may lack the prestige of New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aotearoa but MacDonald thought it could have a significant impact on his squad. “We’ll gain belief, which is huge. We understand how tough it is and what it takes to win a title now,” he told reporters in the post-match news conference. “I think the guys when you speak to them in the sheds, they’re really hungry for more. They love this feeling. It might just light that fire for us to keep moving forward.

New team

AUCKLAND - Former New Zealand forward Zinzan Brooke’s 19-year-old son Lucas was to make his debut for the England U20 team after being named at openside flanker for the Six Nations Championship opener with France. Lucas, who is contracted to London Irish but yet to make his Premiership debut, was born in England after Zinzan’s move there to play for and later coach the Harlequins team following his international retirement in 1997. “Lucas was born here in England and doesn’t know New Zealand at all,” Zinzan, who played 58 tests and scored 17 tries for New Zealand, told the Rugby Pass website last year. “My grandparents were English and my wife’s parents are English, and a lot of people have asked me what would I do. This is home and if the kids get the opportunity to play for England that is their choice.

Best Player

LONDON - Exeter Chiefs’ back row forward Sam Simmonds has been named Premiership Player of the Season, the league announced on Friday. The 26-year-old scored a record-setting 20 tries in the Premiership this season and his performances earned him a call-up to the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa. Harlequins flyhalf Marcus Smith, 22, finished as the runner-up after scoring a league-high 270 points. Simmonds’ Exeter team mate Dave Ewers came third. “He (Simmonds) has excelled in a year where it has been tough for all players in Premiership Rugby, with backto-back seasons and not much time off,” said former England winger Ugo Monye, who was part of the judging panel. “But he hasn’t let off from being European player of the year last season to Premiership player of the year this season, which is outstanding.