Blues coach Vern Cotter counting cost of win over Hurricanes

Beauden Barrett of the Blues feeds the scrum late in their win over the Hurricanes. Photo / Photosport

Breaking their duck for the season against the Hurricanes on Saturday night, Blues coach Vern Cotter was counting the cost of victory.

The Auckland-based side could be without several key contributors for next week’s clash with the Brumbies at Eden Park, after No 8 Hoskins Sotutu was sent off and openside flanker Dalton Papali’i was forced from the field due to an injury.

So far this season, red cards have been met with a three-week suspension, and there could be little complaint should Sotutu be handed a similar penalty after his high shot on Hurricanes No 8 Peter Lakai in the 75th minute. The Blues No 8 made direct shoulder-to-head contact, and after initially being shown a yellow card, he saw that upgraded following a review.

The Blues also had to finish the game with Beauden Barrett playing at halfback as replacement No 9 Sam Nock left the pitch in the 80th minute.

“It was a tough game. Playing the Canes is always a massive effort, to try [to] get over the top of them, and there’s never many points in it,” Cotter said.

“To spend the last minute and a half on our line with 14 players, a second five [A.J. Lam] in at flanker and Beaudy putting the ball in at halfback, we were stretched. We’re very happy to get the win but it was hard-fought, and we’re very happy to move forward with that.”

The Blues led 21-19 at halftime, but it wasn’t until they fell behind 29-21 that they saw the best of their attack.

In a two-minute period late in the game, the Blues struck through Sotutu, before a well-constructed Mark Tele’a try gave them the lead.

“It looked like it was going to be a scenario that would be played out again like the last two weeks; ahead at halftime and the opposition come over the top of us, so I’m really pleased we found the character, and the things we trained are things we’re starting to put out on to the field,” Cotter said.

Despite going a man down in the final five minutes, having to run a makeshift line-up and the Hurricanes having the ball in attacking territory, the Blues were able to hang on for their first win of the season – one Cotter believed would lift them as they prepare to host the Brumbies on Friday night.

However, with seven players on the injury report before the Hurricanes game, Cotter wasn’t sure exactly what his round-four squad might look like.

“It’s just the excitement of winning again, and that’ll give the boys a boost. Brumbies in six days’ time – we’ve got a few guys down and out as well, so we’ll be scrambling to put a team on the paddock, I would think,” Cotter said.

“We’ll see what happens with Hoskins. Dalton came off with a cut above his eye as well, so we’re just going to have to reassess everything – but, first and foremost, enjoy the win, because it was tough and I think we’re improving.”

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.