FINAL WITHIN REACH, BUT BLUES TAKING NOTHING FOR GRANTED
In control of their destiny, sitting within touching distance of the Transtasman final and yet the Blues are taking nothing for granted. Quite rightly given their history, too.
One more win against the plucky yet winless Western Force at Eden Park next Saturday should be enough to book the Blues a spot in their first Super Rugby final since 2003. A bonus-point win will guarantee a home final, a prospect that would be a welcome boost to the coffers.
A fourth successive victory — this time holding off the Reds 31-24 in Brisbane on Friday night — continued the theme of the Blues building consistency since failing to make the Aotearoa final.
The Blues aren’t the finished product — they allowed the Reds, missing influential playmaker James O’Connor, to close within a converted try after leading 24-7 midway through the second half — but they are learning on the job and improving each week, with their forward pack and defence leading the way.
The Blues will go into the final round top after the Hurricanes were upset by the Brumbies in Canberra last night and the Crusaders dropped a crucial bonus point in their unconvincing 29-21 win over the Force in Christchurch.
Two weeks from now, the Blues could host the Transtasman final but such has been their tendency to let complacency creep into their ranks, assistant coach Tana Umaga knows nothing is a given.
“That’s the ultimate goal to have a home final — yet we’ve still got to get into that final,” Umaga said as the Blues prepared to return to Auckland.
“Now we’ve got that opportunity. It’s not finished yet. We want to finish well, we know what’s at stake, but this has been a determined group.
“We’ve tried to learn from previous campaigns, previous games, and that’s what’s driving us to get in that final and get success there.
“We can’t be content or take anything for granted because we haven’t been here enough.”
Umaga, as defence coach, will take pride from the way the Blues have pressured Australian teams into mistakes through their rush system. Whether it’s flying off the line at ball carriers one off the ruck or rushing the midfield, the Blues are often feeding off their physical defensive efforts in what is very much a risk and reward scenario with overlaps available on the edge.
“It’s what you’re willing to risk,” Umaga said. “Our group has done really well in terms of buying into it. We feel it’s working for us, although we did get exposed a few times. We were able to adjust and change that partway through the game.
“In essence, our guys want to pressure the skill set of these teams. They’re doing that and getting the success from that.
“We’ve got a group of guys that are intent on getting off the line and making some heavy contact and led by the likes of TJ Faiane, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and Kurt Eklund is really putting his body on the line along with Fin Christie. They’re not the biggest guys, but they’re doing it for the team and that really lifts everyone around them.”
Having increased their 17-7 halftime advantage against the Reds, the Blues should have closed the game out better, although the locals did benefit from two dubious tries — one through a forward pass to No 8 Harry Wilson; the second claimed by hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa after the ball spilled out the side of a ruck.
Umaga said the Blues would be wary of an improved Force who have everything to play for.
“The Force came into this competition with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They were out in the wilderness for a while — they didn’t go quietly and they’ve come back and proven why they shouldn’t have been let go.
“We’ve noticed they’re a group that’s working hard for each other. They have seasoned campaigners.
“They’re tenacious in everything they do. They’re just waiting to tip someone over.”
Given what’s on the line, the Blues have every reason to ensure that doesn’t happen this week.