Blues embrace ‘back-up’ factor for Moana
COMING off their most significant result of the season, Blues coach Vern Cotter has challenged his men to show their “maturity” on Saturday afternoon at Eden Park.
The new-look, old-school mentor is well aware of the pitfall that awaits his side this week as they look to back up their Crusaders heroics of seven days previous with a performance he sees as every bit as important back at the same venue.
Cotter, of course, saw tantalising glimpses of the talent and potential at his disposal last week when his side elbowed past the freefalling Crusaders 26-6 to end a decade of heartache at home against the red and blacks. This one he’s figuring on more intrinsic qualities being required as the Aucklanders back up with a crosstown battle against the less accomplished Moana Pacific.
That Auckland-based Moana have brought their “home” Super Rugby Pacific clash to Eden Park lends itself more to financial realities than any over-riding generosity on behalf of the competition newcomers. But Cotter is right to highlight this as a mental test for his side, as much as it will surely be a physical one. Rolling the winless Crusaders, as the Blues did with a scintillating secondhalf scoring burst last Saturday night at the Garden of Eden, is one thing; but lobbing up at HQ and dealing to a Moana outfit who have been wooden-spooners two years straight is another altogether.
It’s why both Cotter and skipper Patrick Tuipulotu spoke soon after the Crusaders victory about the need to quickly reset and keep feet planted. It’s fair to say that was a theme for the week which ended with Cotter making six changes to his starting lineup, including hooker Ricky Riccitelli off the bench for his 100th appearance.
“The conversations were about how this group needs to grow maturity-wise and understand (last week) was a performance we worked for and got the result we wanted, and that this is another game with different opposition and a different way we need to go about things strategically,” explained Cotter.