Tana Umaga and Harry Plummer during a Blues training session. Photo / Photosport
Tana Umaga and Harry Plummer during a Blues training session. Photo / Photosport
In control of their title hopes and sitting within touching distance of the transtasman final and, yet, the Blues are taking nothing for granted. Quite rightly given their history, too.
One more win against the plucky yet winless Western Force at Eden Park on Saturday should be enough to bookthe Blues a spot in their first Super Rugby final since 2003. A bonus-point win will guarantee progression, and significantly enhance the chance to host the finale; a prospect that would be a welcome boost to coffers.
A fourth successive victory over Australian opposition – this time holding off the Super Rugby AU champion Reds 31-24 in Brisbane on Friday night – continued the theme of the Blues building consistency since failing to make the Aotearoa final.
The Blues aren't the finished product - they allowed the Reds, missing influential playmaker James O'Connor, to close within a converted try after leading 24-7 midway through the second half - but they are learning on the job and improving each week, with their forward pack and defence leading the way.
Prior to the Hurricanes match against the Brumbies in Canberra the Blues remained top of the table after the Crusaders missed a vital bonus point in their unconvincing 29-21 win over the Force in Christchurch.
Two weeks from now, the Blues could host the transtasman final but such has been their tendency to let complacency creep into their ranks, assistant coach Tana Umaga knows nothing is a given.
"That's the ultimate goal to have a home final – yet we've still got to get into that final," Umaga said as the Blues prepared to return to Auckland. "We realise that. This week is big for us.
Tana Umaga and Harry Plummer during a Blues training session. Photo / Photosport
"Now we've got that opportunity. It's not finished yet. We want to finish well, we know what's at stake, but this has been a determined group. We've tried to learn from previous campaigns, previous games, and that's what's driving us to get in that final and get success there.
"We can't be content or take anything for granted because we haven't been here enough. We want to be here more so we've got to make sure we take advantage of these opportunities we've made for ourselves.
"We would have loved to get a bonus point but to be honest our boys were pretty happy to get the win. You've got to get that first, whatever happens from there will take care of itself."
Umaga, as defence coach, will take pride from the way the Blues have pressured Australian teams into mistakes through their rush system. Whether it's flying off the line at ball carriers one off the ruck or rushing the midfield, the Blues are often feeding off their physical defensive efforts in what is very much a risk and reward scenario with overlaps available on the edge.
"It's what you're willing to risk," Umaga said. "Our group has done really well in terms of buying into it. We feel it's working for us, although we did get exposed a few times. We were able to adjust and change that partway through the game.
"In essence our guys want to pressure the skillset of these teams. They're doing that and getting the success from that.
"We've got a group of guys that are intent on getting off the line and making some heavy contact and led by the likes of TJ Faiane, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, and Kurt Eklund is really putting his body on the line along with Fin Christie. They're not the biggest guys, but they're doing it for the team and that really lifts everyone around them."
The Blues are unbeaten in Super Rugby transtasman. Photo / Photosport
Having increased their 17-7 halftime advantage against the Reds the Blues should have closed the game out better, though the locals did benefit from two dubious tries – one through a forward pass to No 8 Harry Wilson; the second claimed by hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa after the ball spilled out the side of a ruck.
Being more clinical will, however, be a focus for the Blues this week. While the Australian teams continue to struggle - losing 17 of their 18 matches - the Reds and Force are classic examples of how they remain in the fight until the final whistle.
"The Australian teams are starting to understand how the New Zealand teams are playing and they're adapting," Umaga said. "They're proud people so they want to prove themselves when they play against us. As you saw, the Reds wouldn't go away.
"The Force came into this competition with a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They were out in the wilderness for a while – they didn't go quietly and they've come back and proven why they shouldn't have been let go.
"We've noticed they're a group that's working hard for each other. They might not have the big names yet they've got some season campaigners who know what it takes to bring a team together.
"They're tenacious in everything they do. They're just waiting to tip someone over."
Given what's on the line, the Blues have every reason to ensure doesn't happen this week.
