Blues lick their wounds after runaway win
With all due respect, it’s a good time for the Blues to be welcoming Super Rugby Pacific’s bottom team to Eden Park for a Friday night matchup that shapes as tougher than the standings reflect.
The 5-1 Blues are set to be without three key starters for the clash against the 1-5 Force at Eden Park, with skipper Patrick Tuipulotu and second five-eighths Bryce Heem both suffering head knocks in Saturday’s runaway 47-8 victory over Moana Pasifika that look set to rule them out.
On top of that, influential No 10 Stephen Perofeta also left the field with a shoulder injury that does not bode well for his prospects of backing up for the six-day turnaround fixture.
“If you’re talking negatives from the game, it’s injuries,” said Blues coach Vern Cotter. “Paddy, Bryce and Stephen as well. Those head knocks … they didn’t pass their protocols. It looks like we will be digging deep into our stocks for the coming weekend.”
That said, the Blues, who sit second on the standings with 22 points, are still well capable of dealing with the Force, last on just 5 points.
After breaking 38 tackles and running in seven tries against an outmatched Moana side, the Aucklanders hinted at a game starting to come together as their abrasive pack and their dangerous backs get on the same page.
All Blacks wings Mark Tele’a, with a hattrick of tries taking his season tally to five, and Caleb Clarke were in dynamic form for the Blues. Tele’a showcased his world-class finishing with 8 defenders beaten and 90 metres on the carry, and Clarke also added a five-pointer on an afternoon where he ran for 134m and left 5 tacklers in his wake.
Others impressed too. Bryce Heem (119m carried, 9 defenders beaten) was outstanding in midfield before his knock.
Perofeta continued his bounceback* formline on the back of his misfire in Sydney with a surging display, Fin Christie celebrated his 50th appearance for the franchise with his best outing of the year and No 8 Hoskins Sotutu also showcased his qualities, backing up a strong game in the pack (52m on 7 carries and a pair of try assists) by shifting to midfield when Heem exited.
Cotter was mostly content with his team’s effort as they shook off a slow start to unleash with some withering long-range tries.
“There was good attitude in our carry and line-breaks that followed and at the end I was pleased with some of the link play. They got into us at the breakdown, and got a couple of turnovers. Sometimes we were just too slow getting there.”
Meanwhile Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga was left lamenting a reality check on the back of their fourth defeat of the season.
“Obviously the Blues wanted to make a statement … what happened last year [a 31-30 Blues victory at the same venue] was fresh in their minds. Credit to them: they took it to us, and made the most of the opportunities they were given. The pressure, the occasion maybe got to us. We lost some ball and they were so quick to sweep on it. They’re a side you can’t give those opportunities to.”