Blues well placed for first consecutive wins in South Africa for a decade
The Blues have arrived in Cape Town, a city in the grip of a serious drought and water rationing, determined to break one of their own.
They haven’t won back-to-back matches in South Africa for a decade but after their dramatic 38-35 victory over the Lions in Johannesburg, they will be favourites to rain down more misery on a Stormers team who failed to win on their recent tour of Australia and New Zealand.
All the ingredients are there for a win for the visitors — they’re in form, relatively healthy, and while still a little banged up from the battle at Ellis 15. Michael Collins 14. Matt Duffie 13. Rieko Ioane 12. Sonny Bill Williams 11. Melani Nanai 10. Bryn Gatland 9. Sam Nock 8. Akira Ioane 7. Antonio Kiri Kiri 6. Jerome Kaino 5. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti 4. Patrick Tuipulotu 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 2. James Parsons (c) 1. Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: 16. Leni Apisai, 17. Ross Wright or Sione Mafileo, 18. Mike Tamoaieta, 19. Jimmy Tupou, 20. Murphy Taramai, 21. Jonathan Ruru, 22. Stephen Perofeta, 23. George Moala.
Park, they should be in better shape than a Stormers side wracked by illness and injury who have stepped off a couple of long-haul flights.
It’s the increased expectation levels which could be the Blues’
biggest issue, but there are still big improvements to come from them and in particular a star-spangled midfield of Sonny Bill Williams and Rieko Ioane which took a while to function smoothly on the Highveld but which impressed by the end.
“They are players who have performed at the top level,” Blues coach Tana Umaga said. “They can execute in the big moments. They’re confident both individually and collectively — and that spreads out among the players. They really back themselves and that’s what we need.”
One of the obvious developments in the Blues’ first win of the season was the way they paced their attack. They played with a balance and composure which meant energy levels were still high at the end (they scored two converted tries in the final five minutes) and Umaga is hoping for more of the same at Newlands, perhaps with slightly better execution.
“We played at a tempo that suited us and didn’t over-use our forwards. Our kicking game was improved. We need to balance that well, take opportunities when we see them.
“One game doesn’t make a season, just like two games don’t lose you the season — we’ve just got to put games and performances together that showcase who we are. If we do that, we know we’ll get results at the end of it.”
The Blues spent a couple of days in Johannesburg before travelling to Cape Town midweek. There, they have had to deal with a water shortage in the city — there is enough to drink but showers are limited to a minute.
“Shower time is the biggest thing for the guys . . . we’ve all got bottled water so that’s okay to drink,” Umaga said. “It’s about minute showers — that’s been challenging for some guys. You just get used to it.”
They have also had to deal with a knee injury to reserve lock Scott Scrafton. Josh Goodhue will travel as Scrafton’s replacement but won’t be involved in the match, Umaga deciding this time to have a 5-3 forwards-backs split rather than the 6-2 he went with last weekend.
Midfielder George Moala is the beneficiary and will likely relish his chance to make an impact after not being involved last weekend.