Rugby: Rivals need to sort out their rain games

Stephen Brett. Photo / Getty Images

Neither the Blues nor the Chiefs need worry about their levels of passion or commitment to carry them through to the end of the campaign.

But both need to be concerned about their ability to play wet weather rugby - both in terms of strategy and execution.

The final quarter last night, with the scores locked at 13-13, was a time for leaders; it was a time for big men to take control, simplify everything and get the ball into opposition territory and stay there. Neither had that commanding figure.

No one really had either the intent or the ability to see it through. The Blues kind of had one in Luke McAlister, his long range goal-kicking a feature they could use more as they now face a key run of games that will determine the success or otherwise of their campaign.

To go win-win is a massive breakthrough for them. But the big boys in this competition tend to go win-win-win ... For the Blues to do that, they are going to need to understand the value of patience, accuracy and simplification, particularly as last night's conditions are likely to become the norm in the coming weeks.

Some observant types might have noted it occasionally rains in New Zealand. These occasional rains are prone to falling from late April and have been known to make life rather troublesome for those rugby teams like the Blues that have a natural tendency to play catch and pass.

They just don't play kick and chase rugby with any real degree of skill or confidence. Alby Mathewson was the Lord of Eden Park last week, scything through his former Wellington team-mates. He's a classic on top of the ground halfback; deadly when he sees a gap and accelerates and an under-rated passer, too.

But he's no tactical mastermind and obviously out of his comfort zone with his kicking game. Accuracy is not his bag and when space is at a premium in the later rounds, when winter will have a firmer grip, the Blues are going to need more accuracy and more length from the boot of their preferred halfback.

Coach Pat Lam is going to have to think hard about installing McAlister back in the No10 jersey. McAlister played the conditions cleverly, kicking behind the Chiefs and it was his dink that led to Jared Payne's try.

Stephen Brett is similar to Mathewson - he struggles to curb his natural instinct to run and offload when he needs to be finding territory.

The inside backs were not alone in their desire to play rugby ill-suited to the conditions - there were willing accomplices everywhere.

They have to build something else into their repertoire if they are serious about winning this thing. The best solution is to not really worry about the backs at all - see them as condiments, capable of adding something if used sparingly.

They have a forward pack that can do all the ugly stuff and a bit more. They have to be prepared to start their offensive blitz with them in the coming rounds.

There was a five minute period before half-time when the Blues showed their scrum power. With a bit more composure and control - and a bit of help from the referee - the Blues would have not only scored a try, but struck the deepest psychological blow.

All forward packs judge themselves, define themselves even, on the strength of their scrummaging. To concede a pushover brings the ultimate shame. The Chiefs were buckling, panicking and were one more collapse away from a penalty try. But they escaped, pounced on the loose ball and cleared downfield to win a moral victory of sorts. Except it wasn't really.

The Chiefs are going to need to tighten that part of their game in the coming rounds. The South African packs will go for them at scrum time, encouraged by the damage the Blues inflicted.

No one at the Chiefs will be happy with where they are at. They are treading water in terms of performance, unable to find the cohesion and killer blows. They managed that last week against the Sharks, but one win does not a campaign make.

Their error count, even allowing for the conditions, was too high and a couple of more defeats will see them quickly redefine 2011 as a development year.