Perofeta identifies the work-ons for Blues
Blues first-five Stephen Perofeta feels that like the team, he needs to not be so patchy in games.
The Blues lost 25-8 to the Crusaders at Eden Park on Friday night and it was the 11th time in a row they’ve been defeated by their South Island foes.
The one-sided nature of games between the Blues and Crusaders has meant that it’s no longer the jewel in the Super Rugby season it once was and Blues fans are still having to reminisce about ‘that’ try from Carlos Spencer 16 years ago.
While the final scoreline suggested a comfortable victory for the Crusaders, the Blues did play well at times, particularly for the first 25 minutes of the game and the last 10.
But in between those patches there were errors, poor execution and bad set piece plays.
‘‘We had good patches of play and then at times we died off and let the Crusaders back into the game,’’ Perofeta told Stuff.
‘‘Our error count was quite high and that’s something we have to nail, just execute the basics. ‘‘But when you let those errors creep in, a good team like the Crusaders will punish you.’’
The 22-year-old Perofeta was one of the Blues best players on the night.
He set up the try for Patrick Tuipulotu and made a try saving tackle to stop the Crusaders scoring near the end of the first half.
‘‘I was patchy, good in some areas and average in others,’’ he said, being slightly harsh on himself.
‘‘The thing that’s a work on for me is to have a complete game, whether it’s attacking, on defence and kicking as well.
‘‘There are positives there, but also plenty to work on and that’s always in the front of my mind.’’
A part of Perofeta’s game that’s not gone too well this season is his goal kicking as he has a five from 12 record so far this season. It’s still a small sample size but it is becoming a concern.
‘‘It’s a massive work on and I’m trying,’’ Perofeta said.
‘‘It’s not a worry, but a confidence thing for me. But it won’t change how I’m practicing during the week, how often I’m practicing, because that’s my job, I’ve got to nail it for the team.
‘‘The better I do that and nail it, the more the team will get out of it.’’
For the second half on Friday Perofeta switched to fullback, with Harry Plummer replacing him at first-five.
Again, Perofeta showed his talents, in particular a high bomb he took with the Crusaders players racing towards him.
‘It’s good to be able to play two positions,’’ he said.
‘‘But when I’m at fullback it’s about being courageous and going up to get those balls, especially when you’re playing the Crusaders because of their back three and what they can do with those high balls.’’
Any time Perofeta gets to play at fullback over the first part of the season could be beneficial for him when Beauden Barrett returns to action.
Barrett will obviously make the No 10 jersey his, so for Perofeta to get game time he’ll have to beat out Matt Duffie for the fullback job and that’s something he’s all too aware of.
‘‘100 per cent,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll play wherever the team needs me, whether that’s coming off the bench, or playing at the back.
‘‘It will be good to play with Beauden and learn a lot from him.’’