Blues urge Perofeta to seize the moment
Playing the same position as an allworld player of Beauden Barrett’s ability can be intimidating for some. But not, the Blues firmly believe, Stephen Perofeta.
The Super Rugby Pacific competition leaders welcomed back Perofeta this week from a spell out with illness and slotted him straight in to start at No 10 tomorrow night against the Melbourne Rebels at Eden Park.
With Barrett due his final week off under All Blacks rest protocols, the Blues were more than comfortable with Perofeta running the show, as he’s done for stretches of this season while his superstar team-mate has dealt with head knock issues, as well as his designated time off.
The Blues believe the 25-year-old utility, who covers 10 and 15 for them, provides a seamless transition in Barrett’s absence. It’s hard to argue with the success of a fellow who has played his part in a ninematch win streak that is approaching record territory for the franchise.
‘‘It’s another chance, and he’s taken the other ones he’s had this season,’’ Blues assistant coach Daniel Halangahu said yesterday. ‘‘We’re looking forward to him being out there, not only in the way he directs the team at 10, and we’ve all seen what he can do with the ball when he’s attacking the line, but he loves to be the guy who kicks the goals aswell and takes more ownership.
‘‘We’ve seen him almost grow his personality as he takes more responsibility. For Stephen it’s an exciting week and also just another step. He’s done this four or five times already this year.’’
Halangahu felt the 2021 provincial player of the year had taken a major step up in his ability to thrive alongside, as well as instead of, Barrett.
‘‘We talk a lot ... funnily enough not about rugby ... it’s about who he is as a person that very much reflects the way he shows up on the field. He needs to be a big personality for us. When Stephen is involved in the game and he’s assertive, usually that means good things for this team.’’
Halangahu even went as far as to suggest Perofeta had had to shrug of his natural personality to become an even better rugby player.
‘‘You guys know Stephen, he’s as humble as they come, and sometimes it almost holds his rugby back because he’ll let everyone else go first. What we’re seeing with him, he’s not necessarily growing his technical and tactical skills – he’s always had those – but Stephen is growing into a man his family are proud of, and who stands up and takes control when this team needs it.’’
It’s a mostly full-strength lineup for the 9-1 Blues as they look to continue their charge to a minor premiership that would guarantee them home advantage throughout the post-season.
Aside from Barrett, they are missing a couple of experienced secondrowers (Luke Romano and Josh Goodhue) and former All Black loosehead prop Alex Hodgman (elbow injury). But with Mark Telea back on the right wing, Rieko Ioane at centre, Hoskins Sotutu returning at No 8 (alongside Akira Ioane and Dalton Papalii in a powerful loose trio) and the versatile Tom Robinson bringing his firebrand commitment to lock it’s a handy lineup charged with extending that win streak to double-digits. Their record is the 12 achieved in 1997’s championship run.
Halangahu is especially excited to see Roger Tuivasa-sheck back up his exciting first 40 minutes against the Force last Friday night in Perth.
‘‘Roger is getting better with more time in the saddle,’’ noted the Blues attack coach. ‘‘With the big transition we’re trying to make it really simple for Roger around it’s just one or two decisions he’s making and when he has that clarity we know he’s a world-class athlete.’’