By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE - RugbyHeaven | Tuesday, 25 March 2008
The Blues may be battling their way out of a slump but don't write them off yet with one of the Super 14's most respected coaches saying their unpredictability makes them a constant threat on the paddock and the points table.
Rassie Erasmus, a rising talent on the South African coaching scene who turned down a World Cup chance with the Springboks to concentrrate on his Stormers job, watched his side get tipped over 17-14 by the Blues at Eden Park.
While all the talk was about Ben Atiga's last-gasp penalty that gave the Blues a much-needed win after two losses, Erasmus believed the true dangers of the Blues were revealed much earlier in the match.
They may have scored just one try but it was a cracker and, according to Erasmus, Danny Lee's 11th minute touchdown represented everything that is special about the Blues.
He warns that opponents would write-off the Blues at their peril at this stage of the season with David Nucifora's side clinging to third place after six rounds.
"The thing that is tough about the Blues to coach against is that there aren't specific guys that you can mark. When you go through the team, or their 22, then there are only three or four who aren't special with the ball in hand," said Erasmus.
He noted that tight forwards like John Afoa, Keven Mealamu and Troy Flavell all regularly exhibited remarkable ball skills and running capabilities.
"If you go through the team as an opposition coach, there aren't many guys who can't make something special out of nothing.
"It happened again (against us). We put in a good kick, there was a good chase line and one missed tackle and then it's a try.
"That makes them unpredictable."
And while Erasmus believed the Blues had more structure to their game than a team like the Chiefs, it was their unpredictability that was perhaps their greatest asset as the second half of the championship looms.
"I think they will go far just because they have those brilliant game breakers," said Erasmus.
"You can practice through the week and try and mirror those sort of players but when you get on to the park they can still step you.
"I think that is how they are going to be - some days those guys are going to score six or seven tries and sometimes they aren't going to come off.
"But they are certainly a very difficult team to coach against. I don't think they are going through a dip. They are third on the log, they won (against us) and I think they are doing well."
Not well enough for Nucifora's liking though. He is demanding far better things from his side this week as they get set to host the Bulls at Eden Park on Saturday night.
Nucifora wants some fluidity to return to the Blues' play after three stuttering weeks. The two losses have hurt them but a lack of bonus points has also allowed the Crusaders to leap away from them at the top of the table. The Blues are now nine points adrift of their southern rivals and their hopes of claiming the No 1 position are super slim.
It would take a spectacular meltdown from the red and blacks to allow that to happen. Gaining the No 2 spot from the unbeaten Sharks is a more realistic goal for the Blues.
The Bulls loom as an ideal opportunity to get things back on track for the Blues. The defending champions are having a nightmare road trip to add to their ordinary overall campaign. Heavy defeats to the Reds in Brisbane and the Chiefs in Hamilton have seen the Bulls slip to 11th on the table.
"We will be looking for an improved performance there, far slicker than what we produced tonight," said Nucifora.
The Blues are hopeful of having Nick Evans back to lead their attack after he was a late withdrawal against the Stormers because of ongoing issues from his head knock.
Nick Williams' shoulder is the only question mark apart from the prolonged absence of Isa Nacewa (knee).
The most pleasing aspect from the Blues' struggle against the Stormers - apart from the four championship points, of course - was the successful return of Daniel Braid.
The classy openside flanker gave them the ability to make a genuine contest of the breakdowns, something they struggled with in their losses to the Sharks and Western Force.
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