High-flying Blues told to keep improving as crunch nears
The next 10 days in Australia suits stern Vern Cotter to a tee. His Blues may be hotter than fish grease, but, with what he has in mind for 2024, a step away from the hype is just what the doctor ordered.
Cotter’s Blues, at 7-1 and riding a five-game win streak in Super Rugby Pacific, fly to Brisbane today for a Saturday-night clash against the Queensland Reds (9.35pm kickoff). They will remain on the Sunshine Coast to prepare for a May 3 date with the Rebels in Melbourne.
The coach has made five changes to his starting lineup to face the Reds, who are fresh off a 31-0 pounding of the Highlanders at Suncorp.
Loose forward Akira Ioane sits out at least the first part of the trip to be with his partner for the birth of their first baby, allowing Anton Segner a start at No 6, while in-form wing Caleb Clarke drops to the bench to ease the load on a bruised calf. AJ Lam slots on to the right wing and Mark Tele’a switches sides.
There are also starts for lock Sam Darry, prop Angus Ta’avao and hooker Soane Vikena, with Laghlan McWhannell and Marcel Renata on backup duty, and Ricky Riccitelli sitting this one out.
They’re selection rotations the Blues should take in their stride. Darry and Ta’avao are starting types anyway, Lam and Segner are capable fill-ins and Vikena is a rising prospect, building confidence and form.
With the Aucklanders desperate to maintain their pursuit of the 8-0 Hurricanes at the top of the table as they head towards a May 11 showdown in Auckland, Cotter is happy to take his men on a 10-day tour.
“The points are important to us,” he said when asked what he wanted from the trip. “We’re looking to get as many as we can. But also time spent together, cohesion and bringing some players back in. When we get home we’ve got four pretty tough games, so we’re mindful of getting into the best condition physically, and also around our cohesion.”
Of his key sidelined men, Cotter hopes to get Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Cam Suafoa (cancer treatment) and Zarn Sullivan (knee) across as part of a second wave to join the 25-strong playing group on Sunday, though it’s likely halfback Fin Christie (groin) will be further down the track. Calls will be made when fitness is assessed.
Asked if defence was now this team’s calling card, the veteran coach responded: “I’m really wary about those things. In one game it can all go out the window. So it’s that responsibility and care round each week, and preparing the best we can. As soon as you think the job is done is when it turns round and bites you,
“The boys are enjoying it because you can get the ball back in favourable conditions, and we’ve got players who will exploit that. You get turnovers and you can put teams under pressure. We work on it, and we’ll need to keep working on it.”
Cotter also neatly sidestepped a suggestion that the Blues had “put the competition on notice” with their dismantling of the Brumbies.
“I don’t know … the Brumbies made quite a few errors, and I don’t think the Reds will make as many mistakes. There is confidence, but you don't want overconfidence. You want to keep your feet on the ground and make sure you’re working.”
Cotter said Clarke’s bench role was about managing load ahead of a big run home, while Ioane’s absence was one of those things teams had to take in their stride.