Coventry: We’ve got to show consistency

Blues forwards coach Tom Coventry is not about to write off the Aussie challenge in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman based on a single round – not when his own side has hardly been a model of consistency in 2021.

It was no surprise to hear Coventry distancing himself quickly from any suggestions the Blues should have it all their own way when they host the hapless Waratahs on Saturday at Eden Park in their home opener. In fact, the experienced coach’s chief message, in the wake of an impressive 50-3 victory over the Rebels in Melbourne, was about the necessity for his side to back up its opening effort.

As had been widely predicted, the New Zealand sides made a clean sweep of the opening round of the six-week TransTasman competition which will culminate in a final on June 19 – likely to be the only all-Kiwi clash of the hybrid league.

‘‘Everyone has been commenting on the fact that Kiwi teams were on top for this round, but there were a couple of close scores, and some of the teams who weren’t up to speed in the first round will be better for it. There are some proud franchises [in Australia] who are likely to be better for round 2,’’Coventry said.

‘‘If you look at the Brumbies and Force it came down to a couple of goalkicks at the end that could have drawn the match in Christchurch and won the game in Perth. Those two teams were highly competitive. I don’t think the gap is as big as people think it is.

‘‘What happens with competitions is teams usually grow into it … anyone who takes for granted it’s going to be a walkthrough with these Aussie team, they’re highly mistaken. I don’t think the competition is as divided as some perceive it to be.

‘‘Everyone acknowledged we probably weren’t where we needed to be with consistency last competition, and now we get to reset ourselves and look at growing into this competition rather than getting too far ahead. It’s very much a one-gameat-a-time focus. It’s important for us to work through this competition and get better at being consistent.’’

The Blues will be hoping sidelined skipper Patrick Tuipulotu (neck) and inform No 7 Dalton Papalii (knee) will present fit for selection when training resumes today.