Stormers, Bulls beware – the Blues are back!

Flyhalf Ihaia West was one of several Blues players to impress in Thursday's Super Rugby win over the Rebels. Photo: EPA/David Rowland

Flyhalf Ihaia West was one of several Blues players to impress in Thursday's Super Rugby win over the Rebels. Photo: EPA/David Rowland

Published Feb 23, 2017

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CAPE TOWN - The Blues have been the “black sheep” of the New Zealand Super Rugby family for many years now.

The days of Sean Fitzpatrick’s marauding Auckland sides, coached by Graham Henry, winning the first two Super 12 titles in 1996 and 1997, or the class of 2003 inspired by “King” Carlos Spencer, are long gone.

They last reached a semi-final in 2011 under Pat Lam’s watch, and it’s been downhill ever since. They haven’t finished higher than 10th in the last five years, but that could be about to change…

Yes, it was only the Rebels, but the manner in which Tana Umaga’s Blues outfit put together seven tries in a 56-18 victory in Melbourne (their first win in three attempts in that city) during the Super Rugby opener on Thursday indicated that the three-time champions are serious about their challenge in 2017.

The pizzazz was back in their game… Sure, it’s just the first game and the Rebels’ defence isn’t the strongest, but the Melbourne side are not total pushovers either. They ended third in the Australian Conference last year (ahead of the Reds and Force), and would’ve been 12th on the overall log, behind the Blues in 11th.

But the Blues seem to have the flair back in their game to complement a hard-working pack that has also been strengthened in the off-season. They have battled on attack in recent seasons, but the young New Zealand Sevens stars, brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane, set AAMI Park alight on Thursday with their dazzling running and skill.

Outside centre Rieko, just 19, scored a hat trick, while No 8 Akira (21) was at the heart of several moves and did the hard yards – also gifting his brother one of his three tries.

The combative scrumhalf Augustine Pulu – who used to play for the Chiefs – has brought a real spark at halfback and pulled off a sensational break from the back of a lineout to dot down.

Flyhalf Ihaia West looks like he has sorted out his goal-kicking as well, slotting eight out of nine shots, and is revelling alongside Rieko Ioane and Melani Nanai. The fluidity in their play was wonderful to watch, and you could see the Umaga toughness shining through as well.

And here’s the scary thought – they are still awaiting the return of Sonny Bill Williams from injury, which is about six weeks away, as well as All Black hard man Jerome Kaino and lock Patrick Tuipulotu (who has been cleared of doping).

Former Chiefs stalwart Pauliasi Manu was all over the place against the Rebels, and is a solid scrummager, and the likes of Steven Luatua, young star Blake Gibson and hard-working lock Jimmy Tupou will win enough ball for that lethal backline.

And guess what: All Black midfielders George Moala and René Ranger were on the bench against the Rebels!

So, the Stormers and Bulls may have thought that the easiest of the five New Zealand teams they have to face this year would be the Blues. But now, they have been warned.

The Blues will run out at Newlands on May 19 for their date with the Stormers, while they will host the Bulls at the QBE Stadium in Albany on March 25.

The true measure of Umaga’s team is likely to be revealed in the next three weeks, when they take on the Chiefs in Hamilton, Highlanders in Auckland and the Crusaders in Christchurch.

But the two SA sides (and the rest of the New Zealand Conference, in fact) better beware – the Blues are back!

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Independent Media

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