Blues player ratings: ‘Overlooked’ All Black stands out while Rieko Ioane struggles in tough conditions
Hoskins Sotutu impressed for the Blues.
Following a narrow 25-22 defeat to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific clash in Christchurch on Friday, here are the player ratings for the Blues.
15 Zarn Sullivan: Did well considering the conditions and the fact that it was his first game since October, even offering a counter-attacking threat at times. 6
14 Cole Forbes: Had a few decent carries but, like both backlines, struggled to really break free as the game stayed in the tighter exchanges. 5
13 Rieko Ioane: Tried to get involved, making a couple of decent carries, but when Ioane did find space, he didn’t quite have the confidence to off-load. 5
12 AJ Lam: Another abrasive performance from the centre on both sides of the ball, with his try extremely well taken. Superb. 8
11 Mark Tele’a: One of the game’s top carriers as he tried to look for work and make inroads through a congested midfield. 6
Key error
10 Beauden Barrett: Didn’t have the easiest start and made a couple of errors, but grew into the match and took control in the second period. However, made a mistake by running late on, instead of kicking, and that’s where the Crusaders’ match-winner came from. 7
9 Finlay Christie: Struggled initially but was a big part of their comeback in the second period. After Christie went off, they lost control in the final 10 minutes. 7
8 Hoskins Sotutu: A powerful effort from the overlooked number eight. It was the type of performance which should impress Scott Robertson as Sotutu worked hard in all facets to affect the game in the tight. Then came the panache with that audacious pass which led to Lam’s try. 8
7 Dalton Papali’i: Was hitting hard until he went off and combined well with Anton Segner, but they didn’t lose too much when Adrian Choat came on. 6
6 Anton Segner: A solid shift from the flanker, who puts himself about at close quarters as the Blues competed hard at the breakdown. 6
5 Josh Beehre: Did his bit in the key facets, winning ball at the lineout and making his tackles in defence. There were a couple of penalties, however. 6
4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c): Continues to lead by example and be one of the Blues’ better players, despite their struggles this season. Physical on both sides of the ball. 7
3 Angus Ta’avao: The starting front-row did well to make the scrum not too much of a factor initially, despite being under pressure, with Ta’avao managing t0 last most of the match. 6
2 Ricky Riccitelli: Alongside Sotutu and Lam, the Blues’ most dynamic carrier. Riccitelli found a few half-gaps in the Crusaders’ defence and managed to get his side on the front foot. 7
1 Joshua Fusitu’a: Newell had the better of him, although the visitors’ real issues came when he went off in the second period. 5
Replacements: The Aucklanders went for the 6-2 split but the ‘Bomb Squad’ did not quite pay off. There was some good impact from Kurt Eklund, Laghlan McWhannell, Cameron Suafoa and Choat, but the result ultimately came down to the scrum. 5