STICKING TO THE PLAN
Potentially, just the usual for the Blues – consistency – is why they must be so difficult to coach. Umaga did a pretty good job of getting his men playing to the pattern of his choice, while retaining their trademark flair.
It is a balancing act and sometimes they can fall away dramatically. The Sunwolves defeat is a case in point and they should have beaten the Crusaders in Christchurch last year too, Pulu playing a blinder of a first half as the Blues cut loose from everywhere, but after the break they couldn’t get their hands on the ball and panicked.
To win matches consistently they have to be harder to beat – in other words, scramble for everything on defence [a bit like the Crusaders and in fact every other New Zealand team last year], and just do the basics well. Umaga will tell his players again this year that they don’t have to attempt to score tries from every phase.
Build pressure, be patient and the breaks and tries will come. No 10 is potentially another issue, yet again, but Stephen Perofeta showed promise last year, as did Bryn Gatland. Otere Black, newly arrived from the Hurricanes, is out all season due to a knee injury.