Blues on the ‘offensive’ against ‘Canes

The Blues are hoping to silence the critics that say they were lucky to escape with a last-gasp 17-15 win against the Brumbies last week, when they tackle the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday.

It was their defensive qualities that kept the Brumbies from scoring a try, but now coach David Nucifora wants his team to show off their superior attacking skills.

The Blues, one of just two unbeaten teams after the opening two rounds, have some of the most gifted backs in the competition and Nucifora feels now is the time for them to step up.

“Some people have said we were lucky to win, but I don’t buy that,” Nucifora told NZPA.

“To me, it was an outstanding defensive display against a team who, on their home ground, have probably been the best attacking team in the competition over a long time. We really gave them no ball to play with.”

But Nucifora was less happy with the Blues’ attack, although he conceded that the difficult conditions were a factor.

He cited a lack of rhythm and continuity as areas for improvement against the Hurricanes.

Nucifora was also clearly not unhappy at facing opponents missing the likes of loose forwards Rodney So’oialo, Jerry Collins and Chris Masoe, as well as scrum-half Piri Weepu to the All Blacks’ conditioning programme.

“It’s a nice change,” he quipped about the depleted Hurricanes, who got themselves on the board last weekend by pipping the Chiefs 39-32.

While Nucifora expected the Hurricanes’ replacements to step up, he described the quartet as “the engine of their team”.

365 Digital