Editorial: Supporters deserve better from Blues

Opinion

The semifinalists of the Super 14 rugby series will be found this weekend, but already the Blues have been consigned to the category of also-rans.

The halcyon days when they dominated the early years of what was then the Super 12 and even the triumph in 2003 seem very distant. There is plenty to suggest, however, that the Blues should always be a leading force in the competition.

This is a team representing a large slice of New Zealand, centred on a provincial team that always features strongly in the national championship, boosted by two other first-division unions, and able to tap a conveyor belt of talent from some of the country's leading rugby nurseries. How can it keep going so badly wrong in the Super 14?

In the first instance, it is difficult to go past the evidence offered by some players who have most recently worn the number 10 jersey.

Two of the more prominent, Jimmy Gopperth and David Holwell, came to Auckland only because another team deemed them surplus to requirements. It seems incredible that since the departure of Carlos Spencer, the Blues have been unable to develop and retain a high-quality talent in this most pivotal of positions. That, in turn, points to deficiencies in the Blues' development programme.

There are other signs to support this. Weaknesses in the loose-forward trio have been a major factor in the Blues leaking more points than they have scored this season.

This is unsurprising, given that, with the exception of Jerome Kaino, the membership has included players of little or no profile or limited ability. Indeed, a 28-year-old, Josh Blackie, had to be co-opted to try to hide the gaps, despite playing substandard rugby in Japan for the previous two years.

Again, where were the young loose forwards who, thanks to a well-defined development programme, were ready to step up to the Super 14?

The Blues can argue that injuries to important players hindered their chances. Locks Anthony Boric and Ali Williams, for example, were clearly missed. But a solid, well-chosen squad of players should cover such losses.

They are, after all, part and parcel of rugby. The Chiefs and the Hurricanes have developed such squads, and use them not only to cover injuries but for impact off the bench.

Looking at the depth of the Blues squad provides another reason Aucklanders are casting envious eyes southwards.

At one time, Auckland was also adept at attracting and nurturing talent from provincial New Zealand. Spencer, for example, was brought north from Horowhenua at an early age.

Even that, however, seems no longer to be the case. The Blues' talent identification is certainly less effective than that of the Crusaders, much of whose impetus has come from plucking players from elsewhere, not least Auckland, and developing them.

Notably, the Canterbury-based team is still in the semifinals race, despite losing a wealth of experience.

The sum of these shortcomings has been a Blues team composed of far too many players of average ability and too few boasting experience. Adding to the difficulty has been an inexperienced coaching team.

As might be expected from such a combination, there has been poor decision-making, shortcomings in organisation and alarming concentration lapses. There has also been an inevitable inconsistency.

The Blues will doubtless benefit from this year and should be better in 2010. But the team's supporters are entitled to ask why they had to tolerate such an anaemic season.

The people of New York make their displeasure known when the Yankees flounder. Manchester expects United to be among the elite of European football clubs. Aucklanders tend to just shrug. But they should be able to count on much better from the Blues.

The team's deficiencies are readily apparent. Before this season is out, work should have begun on the solutions.