Finlay Christie and Blues team celebrate a try by Hoskins Sotutu of the Blues. Photo: Photosport
The Blueprint is back for the defending champs.
Despite it not being broken, the Blues have started their season trying to fix the style which brought them so much success last season.
Now staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start, it's back to basics for Vern Cotter's men.
"We were probably a little bit disjointed coming into the season and perhaps everyone was thinking about how we could do different things. Belief will come from the things that we are used to doing, that we know had positive results from. So you might see that that famous, 'not going to get points for artistic display.' I think we'll just be reasonably pragmatic about how we do things."
It's been a nightmare start for the Blues, having lost their opening two games to the Crusaders and Highlanders, with last week's loss being described as embarrassing after the Highlanders played 20 minutes with 13 men.
"We probably got a bit rattled around that instead of taking a deep breath. And I think probably when you lead and feel you've got a comfortable lead, you've got a score and score again. And I think once you stop that mindset and get caught out, every moment is a moment of truth and so we just want to keep working on those."
Cotter's side's 2024 success was built around simple, 'smash it up the middle,' style rugby.
However, he admitted expectations on the side may have played a factor in their poor start.
"One of those subconscious things, you could probably say that there's a little bit of pride. It's a proud team, proud players, and I think the feeling the externals around performances with regards to that. But once again, you can't become emotional."
Cotter said the Blues have just found themselves frazzled in games and unable to calm themselves down.
"You've got to deal with losing and the whole thing's about constructing our game. It's a very positive frame of mind, but it doesn't take away the disappointment of losing. We've been starting games well but haven't been able to finish them. So maintaining the consistency and intensity around a full performance for 80 minutes is key to us."
The man they call 'Stern Vern' is quick to point out that it's a long season.
"This is still a good team and we've just got to build ourselves back into the competition and I think that's the mindset we have. Nothing beats hard work and these guys are working hard."
Blues flanker Dalton Papali'i reiterated his side needed to keep things simple.
"I'm a firm believer in doing the basics first. You can't win championship just by letting all your talent and the flashy stuff take you the whole way, this year I think we sort of rolled into it thinking that it's going to happen but it's not. So we've got to really put in the work and I think this week we've put the work in on the paddock and hopefully we show it up."
With a third Kiwi derby on the trot, Papali'i said it's an unforgiving competition.
"It's always physical and I think the comp's gotten more physical than the last couple years. It's good for the game, but it's not really good for the body."
Dalton Papali'i of the Blues. Blues v Western Force, round 7 of the Super Rugby Pacific competition at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand on Friday 5 March 2024. Photo by Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
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