Rugby: Blues move on up with new winning philosophy

Toby Morland and the Blues ground out an impressive win over Otago. Photo / Getty Images

In the new Blues culture, the victory against the Highlanders is already long forgotten and sights have been set on the Hurricanes.

Things have been much different for the Blues this year but no change has been more significant than their 'tag it and bag it' philosophy. The squad agreed at the start of the campaign to not dwell on the past, to pocket the win or accept the loss and move on.

That's been key to winning their last six games. Following the 15-10 triumph in Dunedin the changing room had a quiet vibe rather than any hint of euphoria despite the fact the Blues had completed what they referred to as a 'Grand Slam' - victories against the four other New Zealand teams.

"We had dinner together after the game and then a quiet night," said Blues coach Pat Lam. "That's a bit unusual for a trip to Dunedin but the boys are very focused. That is something that is being driven by Keven [Mealamu] and Johnny [Afoa].

"It wasn't all jumping up and down after the game. We got the win and the four points which was our goal but now we have to begin the recovery, focus again on the process.

"That's what we have been doing all season - not thinking about the table, just staying focused on training and preparing well and then delivering the next performance."

Lam may have been steadfastly ignoring the table but the rest of the competition will be acutely aware that the Blues are now in pole position to claim the top spot in the New Zealand conference. What will have surprised the chasing Crusaders and Highlanders is the control and discipline of the Blues and their ability to play a territorial game.

So many critics have said conservative, kick and defend rugby is beyond the Blues. That view will need to be reconsidered. At the core of the Blues success was the accuracy of Ali Williams at the lineout, the power of their scrum, their ball retention in contact and their longer kicking. It wasn't faultless, with Lam pointing out that some of the tactical kicking wasn't quite good enough but the key aim was achieved; the Highlanders weren't able to use their counter
rucking to exploit turnovers and break free.

"We altered the style to play the Highlanders," said Lam.

"We wanted to be a lot more conservative and play a territory game. We had analysed the Highlanders and felt that a lot of other teams have been loose when they have played against them and they have thrived on that.

"The key goal for us was to shut them down with our defence and not allow them space to play. We had to have the right attitude as well and I think we got that in abundance."

The Blues added to their casualty list in Dunedin, with Luke McAlister limping off with an ankle problem. He'll be doubtful for this week but the Blues may have wanted to start with Benson Stanley at second five-eighth anyway in Wellington to do a defensive number on Ma'a Nonu if he plays.

Anthony Boric should also be back in the frame having sat out the Highlanders match with a tight hamstring. Chris Lowrey was asked to cover for Boric at lock and delivered a memorable performance. Strength in depth appears to be another new-found quality of the Blues and, with confidence behind them, the ability to play tight rugby if they have to and cover injuries, they don't look likely to suddenly collapse just because the pressure is increasing.