Scrappy start just a part of the problem for the Blues

By WYNNE GRAY

It would be charitable to say the Blues have had a messy beginning to this year's Super 12.

Gordon Hunter departed, reluctantly it seemed, after protracted discussions, leaving behind a team he selected but for others to coach.

At the team announcement, Hunter could not settle on a tighthead prop and was angling towards Charles Riechelmann as captain.

In the new arrangement, Frank Oliver was promoted to head coach while the inexperienced John Kirwan switched from his previous managerial role to become Oliver's assistant. Veteran lock Robin Brooke was reinstated for his third year as captain and the choice of tighthead is still being debated.

There also had to be curiosity about the apparent lack of a genuine blindside flanker and fullback, scrutiny about the goalkicking and questions about the midfield mix.

For a franchise built on three first division unions, that uncertainty seemed a little out of kilter.

When the Blues were such a force in the opening three seasons of Super 12, they had a dominant pack that allowed Carlos Spencer to flourish at first five-eighths. Injury and a reduction in that forward superiority have undermined his influence.

The Blues consider they have the forward bulk again to allow the decision-makers space and time to run games.

The scrum will be the key inspection point. There is a perceived brittleness there that Oliver and his manager and former champion All Black hooker, Sean Fitzpatrick, will need to deal with.

The return of All Black No 8 Ron Cribb, in combination with halfbacks Steve Devine or Mark Robinson and five-eighths Spencer, is an exciting axis. There is plenty of experience around them.

But finding the right blend will be tricky. Hopes were that Troy Flavell would start as a blindside flanker, but he and Justin Collins are injured and the Harbour trio of Cribb, Matua Parkinson and Craig Newby might have to open up.

Outside Spencer, the backline have any amount of attacking gifts. But will the youngsters stack up under pressure? Can Joeli Vidiri rediscover his form of a few years ago? Does Craig Innes have some zing to go with his stout defence?

The Blues have been favoured by the draw and six home matches, but their last two matches, at home against the Brumbies and Hurricanes, will likely decide whether they make it to the semifinals.

New Zealand's Super 12 squads

2001 Super 12 schedule