Analysis - Super Rugby Pacific kicks off on Friday 14 February, with one less team than last season and a whole host of things to talk about. We're once again previewing each New Zealand team from worst to first, so we finish with the defending champion Blues.
Overview
Assistant coach Jason O'Halloran during a Blues training session. Super Rugby Pacific, Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 18 June 2024. © Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The champs are here, but can they stay that way? Vern Cotter's Blues bulldozed their way through last season with a style shift towards being brutally direct, so even if other teams had been given a blueprint of it, there was very little they could do about it. The Auckland rugby swagger is definitely back, Cotter's squad has a healthy stability and there's high hopes of a sell-out at Eden Park for their season opener.
The good
Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs attempts to tackle Harry Plummer. Photo: Photosport
Pretty much all of last year's starting squad are returning, as well as the not so insignificant presence of Beauden Barrett after his stint in Japan. Cotter has therefore plenty of options in a very deep roster, with every unit on the field looking really strong. Barrett joins an interesting decision Cotter has to make at first five/fullback, with Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer and Zarn Sullivan more than proven options, an embarrassment of riches compared to some of the other sides.
The bad
Hoskins Sotutu, of Fijian heritage, is a key player for the Blues. Photo: Blues
It's pretty nit-picky but will the future plans of a couple of standout players could affect the teams' fortunes? Plummer has already signed a deal in France and Hoskins Sotutu is out of the All Black picture, everyone's won a Super Rugby title so there may be some effect on the collective motivation if the Blues hit a few speed bumps.
Big boots to fill
New Zealand's Beauden Barrett runs in to score his side's fourth try in the test against Italy, Nov 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It seems a bit crazy to say but the onus will be on Barrett to adapt to Cotter's physical gameplan, because Plummer was more than happy to throw his body at the line constantly with great effect. Akira Ioane's spot will likely be taken by Anton Segner, he along with Dalton Papali'i and Sotutu will make up the starting loosies, but exciting prospect Che Clark will likely get a crack at some stage too.
What they're saying
"There's understanding around what we're doing, then defending it in real time. We back ourselves to put a bit more speed and variation into the game just to keep people guessing. We scored the most tries in the competition and had the best defence. I don't know, do you want to change basic things around that?" - Vern Cotter.
Fan critique
Blues fan. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
Blues fans are in a rare situation of having very little to complain about, but that certainly won't stop them. Eden Park will still be apparently very hard to get to and kick-off times will be too late, despite the fact that the Blues drew a sold out crowd for their final victory over the Chiefs last year. This is, of course, part of the much bigger stadium debate that seems to take up more public discourse than the actual Blues team itself - especially when Eden Park's neighbours decide everything's getting a bit too noisy next door.
Big games
The opener against the Chiefs will really set the tone on how much other teams are willing to adapt to Cotter's abrasive style, but it's just the first of a tough five weeks with games against the Highlanders, Canes, Brumbies and Chiefs again. That's made up for by a very friendly run in to the playoffs with games against the Force, Drua, Moana and Waratahs.
Blues squad
Forwards: Angus Ta'avao, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Jordan Lay, Joshua Fusitu'a, PJ Sheck, Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, James Mullan, Laghlan McWhannell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papali'i, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Ben Ake, Che Clark, Cameron Christie
Backs: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki, Stephen Perofeta, Harry Plummer, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Xavi Taele, Corey Evans, Zarn Sullivan, Mark Tele'a, Caleb Clarke, AJ Lam, Cole Forbes, Bryce Heem, Reon Paul, Meihana Grindlay, Payton Spencer
