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'It was a step back' - Error-ridden Blues rue mistakes after another loss

Akker van der Merwe is tackled by Melani Nanai. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

New Blues coach Leon MacDonald has given a stark assessment of his side’s losing effort against the Sharks in Durban.

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After a close 22-20 defeat to the Crusaders at home last weekend, the Blues were handled 26-7 on the road against a classy Sharks outfit.

“It was a step back, no doubt about it,” MacDonald said after the match.

“The most disappointing thing is we were responsible for most of the mistakes.

“We’re all very disappointed with the performance.”

The Sharks scored four tries to the Blues’ one, with an 80 metre Curwin Bosch intercept try sealing victory for the home side.

Despite having most of the ball, the Blues failed to capitalise as they chalked up 362 metres to the Sharks’ 449 in almost twice as many carries. The Sharks also broke the Blues line 14 times, which will be an area of concern moving forward.

MacDonald drew on the conditions that his side failed to adapt to.

“We struggled to cope with the heat, really battled in that first half and never got our game going.

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“The ball was sweaty and slippery and we didn’t cope with it.

“In the heat some of our big men struggled to get around the park and we struggled to keep our attacking shape which meant we looked disorganised at times.”

The Blues, now 0-2 to start the season, have another tough task ahead as they prepare to face the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, still searching for their first victory under MacDonald.

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Oita:

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Nickers 31 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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