Red-hot Blues ready to take the final step
The Blues have made some serious shifts in the nearly four years that Leon MacDonald and Tom Coventry have been chipping away at the edifice of under-achievement at New Zealand’s most enigmatic Super Rugby franchise.
They are no longer the easybeats and nearly men of this competition; they are now the standard-setters, the models of consistency and the side everyone is chasing in this inaugural edition of Super Rugby Pacific.
The worm has turned. From the outhouse to the penthouse, the Blues have shaken off their cloak of ineptitude to become the franchise they’ve always believed themselves to be.
They started life with a swagger, making three straight grand finals from 1996-98, and winning the first two crowns, but have spent much of the time since in a distinct stagger, making just one more final (2003’s triumph over the Crusaders) and a pair of losing semifinals (‘07 and ‘11).
Tonight at Eden Park, in the second of the Super Rugby Pacific semifinals against the Brumbies, those seismic changes in attitude, culture, accountability and flat-out rugby execution may have to be laid bare.
A brutal test is assuredly coming and there will be approaching 30,000 expectant Auks in the stands hoping their heroes don’t blink now.
These Blues are on some ride. They have not lost since round 1 in Dunedin, when they were pipped 33-32 by the Hurricanes in a miracle finish.
Since then, they have rattled off a franchise record 14 consecutive victories, and fought their way out of a succession of tight spots to win through to a home semifinal in which they are heavily favoured to prevail.
Like everyone they’re a bit banged up, without skipper Dalton Papalii (appendicitis) and Caleb Clarke (hamstring) from their top lineup. Papalii’s speeding controversy, which came to light on game eve, might also have been a distraction they didn’t need.
But they have depth that is the envy of their rivals, a resilience that should see outside noise brushed aside and quality aplenty throughout their lineup, from the quartet of All Blacks props who share the front-row grunt, a loose trio that oozes X-factor and footspeed, the best No 10 in the business, and a backline strikeforce, headed by Rieko Ioane, that is frightening in its potency.
Winning has become a habit in Blues country, but last time out against the Brumbies – a 21-19 victory in Canberra on May 21 – it was one that only kicked in at the death, when Beauden Barrett’s dropped goal under advantage got the Kiwis home.
That night the Brumbies scrapped and scraped their way out of a heavy possession disadvantage, and a raft of penalties and cards, to outscore the visitors three tries to two.
The Blues have to figure a similarly feisty challenge is coming tonight from a side that knows its strengths, and plays to them beautifully.
Forwards coach Coventry gave an insight into the mindset of his side this week.
‘‘We just had a neat team meeting and some of the boys got up and spoke about their love of the game, of growing up with the ball and just reminding ourselves how important this game is to us and our families. It was very well done.’’
Some of the greats of yesteryear have also been chipping in their five cents’ worth over the last month.
‘‘We’re never short of our old boys being around. They’re all pretty proud of what the club has achieved so far, and we’re just trying to draw on the strength they bring for a young group,’’ added Coventry.
They may need it. That big Brumbies pack, with Rob Valentini back in the loose, will ask some serious questions at the breakdown, at set piece and, especially, in the driving maul with the line in sight. The Blues know exactly what’s coming from a side that’s scored nine tries in the 22 from the lineoutdrive.
‘‘We work pretty hard on it,’’ said Coventry, pointing to a patch of chewed-up grass where his players do their maul work.
‘‘They’re really good there . . . arguably the Crusaders and Brumbies are the best two teams at the driving maul.’’