Super rugby: Blues debutants impress as tougher tests await

Semisi Masirewa of Sunwolves makes a tackle on Blues player Orbyn Leger during the Super Rugby Round 9 match. Photo / Getty Images

Fresh from a win over the Sunwolves, a Jamie Joseph-coached side, the Blues must now prepare for another team with the former All Black's fingerprints all over it - a Highlanders team with a much more potent attacking game.

Joseph's former team in Dunedin, now coached by Aaron Mauger and Mark Hammett, will be considerably tougher at Eden Park on Friday night than a game but limited Sunwolves.

For the Blues and coach Tana Umaga, it is mission accomplished in Tokyo. A victory was all they wanted after the disaster at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium last year, and while the 24-10 margin possibly flattered them a little, they won't care.

Umaga was happy with the performances of wing Jordan Hyland, a 28-year-old from Northland, and 21-year-old centre Orbyn Leger, a former New Zealand under-20s representative, both making their Blues debuts.

"I felt all the newcomers did exceptionally well," Umaga said. "Jordan Hyland was a handful on the wing and got himself two tries. Orbyn Leger is a young player who works his butt off and makes good decisions. I was delighted with his debut.

"And when [lock] Ben Nee Nee came on, we asked him to bring some energy - and he did that."

There were wobbles at the start when the Sunwolves went 10-0 up and lock Patrick Tuipulotu, in his 50th match for the Blues, was sinbinned for a late tackle but fortunately for Umaga's men, their quality eventually shone through.

Akira Ioane's try showcased yet again his incredible pace and balance, with fellow loose forward Dalton Papali'i also scoring from long range. And in Hyland, the Blues have a 100kg-plus wing prepared to run hard and straight.