Blues Player Ratings vs Waratahs | Super Rugby Pacific

A historic night for Beauden Barrett coincided with a pivotal match in both the Blues and Waratahs’ season as both sides looked to overcome an underwhelming start to 2023.

The Auckland weather was fine as the match kicked off but a day of rain had left the field wet and it quickly became apparent that the slippery ball was going to make phase play a challenge.

The Blues’ set piece was rock solid and their attacking threats were on song, the team was let down occasionally by handling errors and struggled at ruck time with some fine breakdown work by the Waratahs.

The ‘Tahs also suffered from handling errors and handed the Blues more ball with some unnecessary penalties, possibly missing the leadership of the rested Michael Hooper as the game wore on.

A telling stat was the home side running for three times more metres than the visitors while possession and territory remained even. Fulltime score: 55-21

Here’s how the Blues rated:

1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 7/10

The Blues’ scrum was immovable while the starters were on the pitch and the set piece generally offered both sides some clean ball. Tu’ungafasi was active around the field, eager to make his presence felt early. The All Black’s presence faded a bit as the match wore on, making just a handful of tackles but lasting twice as long as his fellow prop Nepo Laulala.

2. Ricky Riccitelli – 8.5

Scored the opening try through great body position and a powerful leg drive. Was throwing dimes all night at lineout time. Led his side in tackles made at halftime and added just a few more in the second period. Was rewarded again late in the second half with his second try which brought him up to level with Mark Telea as the Blues’ top try scorer on the season. An overall energetic and clinical performance from the hooker.

3. Nepo Laulala – 6

Laulala managed just one tackle in his short-lived cameo in the match. His solid set piece work helped set the tone but being replaced after just 35 minutes affirmed his limited impact.

4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 7

Took the ball down and led a driving maul up as far as halfway on the opening play, setting the tone for a dominant evening from the men in Blue. Comfortably passed the gain line on the few occasions his big frame was utilised as a ball carrier. Generally went about his business, offering his shoulder to the breakdown and proving himself to be his side’s most effective player in that area. Claimed the lineouts with ease.

5. Sam Darry – 7

Darry’s developed an efficient partnership with Ricky Riccitelli to ensure his side gets clean ball at lineout time. The Blues displayed some tidy execution to avoid any obstruction in their rolling mauls off the lineout, something referees have been quick to penalise in 2023. Darry did fall off a few tackles in the slippery conditions.

6. Anton Segner – 7

Segner wasn’t making the big plays but he was assisting in them, pushing Riccitelli over for the opening try and using his pace to chase linebreaks and secure the ensuing breakdown. He offered a couple of dominant tackles while lightly testing the Waratahs around the breakdown.

7. Adrian Choat  – 8

Choat was instrumental in the Blues’ various set-piece plays. He’s a player with infectious energy and enthusiasm, chasing players on defence and seeking the dominant hit. While he’s present around the park, at times he’s just let down a bit by his lack of size, struggling to consistently execute effective clearouts around the breakdown.

8. Hoskins Sotutu – 7.5

Sotutu was active in the wide channels as the Blues found a wealth of opportunities down Caleb Clarke’s wing, Sotutu combined with Clarke and Rieko Ioane on some damaging runs that saw him rack up 40 metres off his three carries in the opening 40. Finished the game with winger-like running metres and defenders beaten, but also winger-like tackle numbers.

9. Finlay Christie – 8

Christie was making all the right reads while the speed of ball he received was a mixed bag. The Waratahs found some success in disrupting the Blues at the breakdown but Christie still managed to get the ball out and set his backline away with their clear objective of pushing the ball wide.

10. Beauden Barrett – 8.5

Barrett is looking more relaxed on the pitch in recent rounds, he’s trusting his instincts and the Blues are looking far more dangerous for it. A fair amount of kicking early gave Barrett a number of counterattacking opportunities and the veteran’s vision was equalled only by his execution, his cross kicks were collected while his high kicks were contested and his runs set his outsides away.

11. Caleb Clarke – 9

Clake used his pace to make the most of his touches from the get-go, making a healthy number of metres out of his four touches in the opening ten minutes. Made a remarkable catch way above his head off a high ball to spark yet another counterattack. At halftime, Clarke had nearly single-handedly equalled the entire Waratahs team’s running metres.

Disrupted the kickoffs with every opportunity, winning his side the ball a number of times and was rewarded with a try of his own midway through the second half. Just a couple of penalties and a questionable grubber from his own 22 were the few blemishes on an otherwise outstanding performance.

12. Harry Plummer – 6

Plummer was surrounded by strong attacking threats in fine form tonight and was selfless in his distribution. A beautiful touch pass that set Caleb Clarke away for his try was a lone highlight.

13. Rieko Ioane – 7.5

Ioane was one of a few Blues players who struggled to keep the ball in hand to start the match, the centre dropped two balls in the opening five minutes. Rieko again used his pace to great effect in defence, leading the Blues’ rush defence while not getting disconnected and finishing the game with the highest tackle count out of the backline. Another familiar sight was the speedster using his blistering acceleration to attack half gaps in the defence and make good metres past the gain line.

14. Mark Telea  – 7

Telea had limited running opportunities in the match, he stretched his legs a couple of times but was well-marked and didn’t see the open space his fellow wing Caleb Clarke enjoyed. Instead of waiting for opportunities to come his way, Telea decided he would offer himself as an extra forward, hitting rucks regularly around the park and stepping in at halfback on a few occasions. He did have the ball ripped and spilled it once as well.

15. Stephen Perofeta – 5

Assumed the kicking duties and struck them well off the tee. Contributed nicely with his few touches before being replaced in the 28th minute due to a shoulder injury.

Replacements:

16. Soane Vikena – 7

17. Jordan Lay – 7

18. James Lay – 8

19. Cameron Suafoa  – 7

20. Akira Ioane – 7

21. Sam Nock – 7

22. Bryce Heem – 7

23. Zarn Sullivan – 8.5

Sullivan came on in the 28th minute and offered some great playmaking straight away, initiating a great Caleb Clarke run before almost setting up Rieko Ioane in the corner. He was rewarded for his impact with a try just before halftime when Finlay Christie picked him out just 8 metres from the line and Sullivan dragged two defenders with him to cross the chalk.