Pulu could inspire the Blues
Every year the focus falls on the Blues No 10 jersey but the bloke inside him could prove more influential this season.
All the hype and expectation surrounding the Blues this year predominately emerged from the recruitment of Sonny Bill Williams. Now we know he won’t feature for at least the first five weeks due to his recovery from an Achilles injury, Augustine Pulu could well prove a better piece of business.
We’ve seen through Aaron Smith, Will Genia and Fourie du Preez at their peak just how much a quality halfback adds to a Super Rugby team. They bring tempo, guile and provide that crucial link.
With the right platform, similar impact from Pulu is not out of the question. He should certainly take pressure and responsibility off Ihaia West’s shoulders.
Like so many in the Blues environment, after their time together at Counties Manukau Tana Umaga knew exactly what he was getting when he snatched Pulu from the Chiefs: a true competitor. Pulu is a combative halfback who never steps back. He feeds off heavy contact, and can dish it out in return.
Prior to him linking with the New Zealand sevens team, the Blues tried unsuccessfully to get Pulu out of the final year of his contract with the Chiefs in 2016.
Umaga eventually got his man, offloading Bryn Hall to the Crusaders in the process. Expect Pulu to now repay the faith of his mentor.
Pulu was somewhat wasted at the Chiefs. Stuck behind and largely overshadowed by Tawera Kerr-barlow and Brad Weber he struggled for game time in a scenario akin to the Crusaders hoarding first-fives during the Dan Crater era.
Elements of Pulu’s game needed work at the Chiefs. He had a tendency to go alone and often get isolated. His decision-making and kicking game also needed refining.
Still, that raw talent – his destructive running ability and vision – was enough to see him debut for the All Blacks in 2014, though his 20 minutes against the USA and two minutes in Edinburgh don’t do him justice now.
Pulu, out of the famous Wesley College, has come a long way since he first appeared for the Chiefs some five years ago. No more is that evident than in his temperament.
With the All Blacks absent for much of the pre-season he immediately made his mark in the leadership group, and will be leaned on to support stand-in captain Jimmy Tupou as the Blues open the season in Melbourne on Thursday without Jerome Kaino, James Parsons, Patrick Tuipulotu and Williams.
‘‘Jimmy has proven himself,’’ Pulu said of the former Crusaders lock and Counties team-mate. ‘‘He’s a person that doesn’t really talk much but he’s the right person this week.’’
It won't be easy for a coach in his first year at this level.