With the 2013 Super XV just around the corner it felt like an appropriate time to have a bit of fun and speculate about some ‘Best of’ sides, and I’m starting off with the Auckland-based Blues, one of the most successful franchises in Super Rugby history.
Please note that no specific selection criteria was used here; some players have been chosen because of the significance of their contribution to the side, some because of the their longevity in the jersey, and some simply because they were far too good to leave out. No doubt there will be plenty of opposing opinions regarding my selections, but with that disclaimer out of the way, here is my ‘Greatest Ever Blues Team’.
Beginning in the ‘dark room’ that is the front row, the first name I wrote down was Tony Woodcock, a veteran of both the Blues and the All Blacks, a prolific try-scorer (by front rower standards anyway), and someone who has played over 100 games for the franchise.
His propping partner is Olo Brown, a veteran of 69 Test matches for the All Blacks and an original member of the Blues side that claimed the first two Super 12 titles, Brown was widely regarded as the best prop in the world during his hay-day.
Hooker was a particularly difficult decision, and I ended up opting for current All Black hooker Keven Mealamu. Personally I would probably choose Sean Fitzpatrick over Mealamu if I was selecting a Classic All Blacks side, but the current rake isn’t too far behind, and the fact that he has played almost 100 games more for the franchise tipped the balance in Mealamu’s favor.
The first lock I named was an easy decision, with Ali Williams the obvious choice. Named as captain for the 2013 season by new coach John Kirwan, the immensely experienced Williams has played over 100 games for the franchise and has been a prominent fixture in the national side over the last decade.
The other second-row spot came down to Troy Flavell and Robin Brooke, and while the versatility of Flavell, who can also play at Blindside, and the X-factor he brings with his unquestionable aggression was appealing, I opted for Brooke. Like Brown, Brooke was a member of the inaugural Blues side that claimed the first two Super 12 finals, and was a stalwart of the hugely successful Auckland NPC side that dominated provincial rugby in New Zealand for over a decade.
On the Blindside Flank I opted for Jerome Kaino. A former IRB Junior Player of the Year, Kaino took more time than anticipated to mature as a player at the highest level, but when he did he made a huge impression, going on to become one of the key members of the All Black side which claimed the World Cup in 2011.
At number 7 I chose the great one, the Iceman Michael Jones. Both Daniel and Luke Braid have been fantastic contributors to the Blues’ cause in recent years, but the selection of Jones, one of New Zealand rugby’s finest ever players, was never in question. Although he finished his career playing primarily at 6 it was on the openside where he really made his name, with his physicality, his athleticism, and his ability to consistently turn up where the ball was, both on attack and defense, allowing him to terrorize opposition players at ever level of the sport.
At the back of the scrum the decision was equally straightforward, with Zinzan Brooke, one of the most skillful forwards to ever play the game, a no-brainer in the Number 8 jersey. While Brooke’s talent was undeniable and immense, his mindset, confidence, determination and commitment were assets that helped all the teams he played for to significant achievements during his playing career.
At halfback I went for another player from the franchise’s early days in Junior Ofisa Tonu’u. Robust and tenacious, Tonu’u’s defence around the fringes made him a virtual 4th loose forward, while the threat he posed on attack enabled him to ignite the talent-rich backline of the Blues in the first few years of Super Rugby.
First Five posed similar problems to hooker, with Grant Fox being the slightly more accomplished player, but Carlos Spencer having been, in my opinion, a greater servant to the Blues. Spencer possessed freakish skills, and at the height of his career was one of the most dynamic and influential players in world rugby. Like Zinzan Brooke, his unyielding faith in his own ability was contagious, and that attitude undoubtedly instilled a sense of confidence and belief in those playing around him.
There was plenty of competition in the midfield, with Lee Stensness, whose influence in the early days was significant, giving me cause for deep consideration, but in the end I went for Sam Tuitupou. His accomplishments for the Blues and on the international scale may not match up to some of his colleagues, but while he was representing the franchise Tuitupou was a critical member of their backline, with his bone-jarring defence sending shivers down the spine of his opponents and his fearless running being used frequently to spark attacking moves.
At Centre I went for a player who was hugely influential, both as a player and a leader – Eroni Clarke. With silky skills and slick feet, the Samoan-born Clarke played 48 times for the Blues, and was a link between the old guard of Fitzpatrick and the Brooke brothers and the young stars like Spencer.
On one wing I went for Doug Howlett. Having played over 100 times for the franchise, and amassing 245 Points in a highly-esteemed career for the All Blacks, Howlett was a consistent performer for the Blues for nearly a decade, and by all accounts was a critical member of the leadership group in every team he played in.
The other wing spot came down to two Fijians, both who ended up representing New Zealand – Joeli Vidiri and Joe Rokocoko. While Rocokoco’s pedigree cannot be questioned I ended up going for Vidiri, if for nothing else for the impact he had on the game in those first few years of the competition, when he and Jonah Lomu revolutionized the sport and changed the style of play for wingers the world over. (By the way, Lomu would of course have featured in this side, but I’ve classed him as a Hurricane this time round).
At Fullback I went for Adrian Cashmore. Cashmore was an incredibly reliable practitioner with a prodigious boot, and his phenomenal goal-kicking was a tool which Auckland sides used to crush the dreams of opposition sides from the early 90s until the turn of the century.
So that’s my Greatest Blues side of all time, for what it’s worth – 1. Woodcock 2. Mealamu 3. Brown 4. Williams 5. R Brooke 6. Kaino 7. Jones 8. Z Brooke 9. Tonu’u 10. Spencer 11. Howlett 12. Tuitupou 13. Clarke 14. Vidiri 15. Cashmore