AN EXPLOSIVE BACKLINE THAT WANTS TO CATCH FIRE
The Blues’ backline firepower is as good as any in the competition. It will be intriguing to see where Umaga plays Rieko Ioane because the 20-year-old was a sensation on the left wing for the All Blacks last year but would prefer to play centre.
Could Umaga accommodate him alongside Sonny Bill Williams or are the two a little too similar? Umaga might prefer Ioane to stay where he is for now and play George Moala as his first-choice centre.
Or he might want to play Ioane there and have Caleb Clarke, son of Eroni, on the wing. Either way, Umaga has options.
Matt Duffie had a year to remember in 2017 after making the All Blacks and should have grown in confidence, and Melani Nanai and Michael Collins were both excellent at the back in different ways last year.
Nanai can be an excitement machine with ball in hand, whereas Collins is extremely reliable at fullback and rarely makes a mistake.
Look for halfback and new skipper Augustine Pulu to have a big year. Pulu was probably the Blues’ most consistent player last year.
Hopefully for him the captaincy will enhance his performances rather than hinder them. With Ben Afeaki on board as scrum coach, look for a slight improvement in the set piece too.