BLUES
Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:59
BLUES 2008
The Blues were the stand-out New Zealand side in the 2007 Super 14, playing their trademark running rugby and heading to the top of the standings in the early part of the competition.
For much of the early stages they were the team to beat, and thrilled with explosive running. However the side was let down by a leaky defence and was eventually ousted as the tournament's leaders by the Sharks.
The Blues can only build on last year's success and can be expected to be in peak physical condition heading into this year's competition, given the gruelling pre-season coach David Nucifora put the side through heading into the competition.
The Blues represent the three provincial unions in the top portion of New Zealand 's North Island : Auckland, North Harbour and Northland.
Strengths: The Blues' talent pool is large - Air New Zealand Cup champions Auckland are providing the core
of their playing group, with semi-finalists Hawke's Bay also contributing to the 2008 squad. The Blues are known for playing an exciting all-action brand of rugby.
Weaknesses: The Blues were severely let down by their defence last year, with the side earning only six bonus points and losing third place on the standings to the Crusaders, who lost five games to the Blues' four, but still got the jump on the Auckland-based side with 10 bonus points to their credit. The North Islanders also often fail to live up to their pre-season promise.
Noteworthy signings: Nick Evans (Highlanders), Nick Williams (North Harbour), Danny Lee (Hawke's Bay), Bryn Evans (Hawke's Bay), Jamie Helleur (Auckland), Kurtis Haiu (Auckland), Tom McCarthy (Auckland), Tananeila Moa ý (Auckland), Bronson Murray (Northland), David Smith (Auckland), Benson Stanley (Auckland).
Noteworthy losses: Ali Williams (Crusaders), Luke
McAlister (Sale Sharks), Doug Howlett (Munster), Sam Tuitupou (Worcester Warriors), Greg Rawlinson (Worcester Warriors), Steve Devine (retired), Derren Witcombe (retired), Sam Biddles (back in Hamilton), David Gibson (retired), David Holwell (back in Whangarei), James Somerset (retired) and Saimone Taumoepeau (Toulon).
Coach: David Nucifora. The former Brumbies coach, who was kicked out in a player coup after winning the tournament with the Canberra-based side in 2004, was the Blues' technical advisor in 2005. In 2006 he replaced Peter Sloane, who stepped down at the end of the 2005 season after four years in charge. Nucifora, 44, was head coach for the ACT Brumbies from 2002-2004 and guided them to the Super 12 title in 2004. He led the Blues to the semi-finals of the 2007 Super 14.
Captain: Troy Flavell. With 2006 skipper Keven Mealamu - one of the All Blacks on World Cup conditioning - unavailable for the first eight weeks
of the 2007 competition, Flavell was appointed captain. Despite his reputation as one of the sports' bad boys - as his past suspensions, along with numerous yellow and red cards can attest to - Flavell matured in last year's competition, keeping his cool (most of the time) and leading from the front. He effectively maintained discipline and proved he could avoid getting involved in off-the-ball incidents.
Player to watch: Young, fast, exciting and with a great eye for a gap, 24-year-old Rudi Wulf burst onto the scene for the Blues in the abscence of first choice wing Doug Howlett in 2007. With his flair and pace Wulf proved a more than capable replacement and soon established himself as one of the best No.11's in the competition, scoring six tries. With Howlett now playing for Munster in Ireland, look for Wulf to cement his place in the side.
2007 Position: losing semi-finalists
Best finish: Super 12
champions in 1996, 1997, 2003
Worst finish: 11th (2000)
Home Venues: Eden Park, Auckland (Capacity: 50,000), North Harbour Stadium, Albany (Capacity: 25,000)
2008 Prediction: The Blues had an outstanding tournament in 2007 and for much of the competition were the team to beat. However they faded towards the end of the season. This year coach David Nucifora has implemented a rigorous pre-season training schedule and the Blues should be in better shape than ever. Expect them to make it into the semi-finals in 2008.
Blues squad:John Afoa, Ben Atiga, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Bryn Evans, Nick Evans, Troy Flavell, Jamie Helleur, Kurtis Haiu, Jerome Kaino, Tom McCartney, Danny Lee, Keven Mealamu, Taniela Moa ý, Bronson Murray, Isa Nacewa, George Pisi, Josevata Rokocoko, David Smith, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava, Onosa'i Tololima-Auva'a, Anthony Tuitavake, Nick
White, Nick Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.
Schedule:
16 Feb: v Chiefs, Home
23 Feb: v Lions, Away
1 March: v Cheetahs, Away
8 March: v Sharks, Away
15 March: v Force, Home
22 March: v Stormers, Home
29 March: v Bulls, Home
5 April: v Waratahs, Away
12 April: v Brumbies, Home
18/19 April: Bye
25 April: v Crusaders, Away
2 May: v Reds, Away
10 May: v Highlanders, Away
16 May: v Hurricanes, Home
