First take: Injuries to ABs a concern

Injuries to Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau would have concerned Steve Hansen. Photo / Getty

Blues 41
Force 24

The Blues have doubled their win tally for the season with this 41-24 victory over the Force at Eden Park, but the injuries to skipper Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau will worry not only John Kirwan but also All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

Kaino is out for up to eight weeks after suffering a compound fracture to his ring finger on his left hand, while Piutau's left knee is damaged to the extent his World Cup dream could be over.

The crocked pair have been the Blues' best players this season, but Kirwan's team could be without both for the rest of the campaign.

Captain Kaino, in particular has been an inspirational figure, but even he was outshone tonight by young loose forward colleague Akira Ioane during his time on the field. And, after Kaino left, Ioane scored a stunning individual try Piutau himself would have been proud of.

In a performance which will delight Kirwan, and perhaps even give Hansen something to think about, the 19-year-old Ioane carried on where he left off against the Crusaders in Christchurch last week.

When the Blues needed someone to follow, the big No6 did what he does best and that's carry the ball. He has the pace to go around players, which he showed by skinning All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw at AMI Stadium, but it is in contact where he is truly impressive.

He resembles a sedan when cruising into the rough stuff before switching to four-wheel-drive truck mode and emerging out the other side with a mere push of the accelerator. He will become even more effective once his teammates begin to understand the lines the youngster runs and position themselves for his offloads.

His try in the second half when he received the ball on halfway, made space for himself with a head fake and sped through the defence, outstripping wing Nick Cummins and going over in the tackle of fullback Dane Haylett Petty was a thing of beauty.

He is one success story for the Blues this season - a diamond among the dross. It's a pity the injuries to the Blues' star men took the shine off a little.