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The Highlanders and Blues about to engage - Source: Photosport -
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The Blues' most comprehensive victory of the 2009 Super 14
season wasn't flashy but reinforced that successful rugby is a
simple game after all, writes tvnz.co.nz's Chris Matthews.
In the modern era where the complexities of rules and
interpretations makes rugby look like a foreign language, it was
refreshing to see the Blues blow away the Highlanders by focusing
on the basics.
Before Friday their lack of intensity at ruck time was the single
biggest reason why they've had such an up and down season.
Indeed they recognised this after their demoralising 63-34 bashing
by the Chiefs and many of their training sessions since have been
dedicated to this simple facet of the game.
But it wasn't until the Highlanders hit town on Friday night that
all the practice came to fruition and it was lucky it arrived
against the Southerners.
After all, the Highlanders had built their three match winning
streak on exactly what the Blues were trying to achieve.
Particularly against the Bulls, they were men possessed flying
into the rucks in adequate numbers yet with enough
ferocity to get quick clean ball, but ironically at Eden Park, it
was the Blues that smashed them at their own game.
Right from the kick-off the Blues forwards flew into the collision
area, affecting a turnover and shocked the visitors with a try
within 30 seconds.
The tone for the evening was set and it's little coincidence that
this added intensity remerged with the return of All Black prop
Tony Woodcock.
He is a no nonsense type of player that does nothing in halves and
there is little doubt that his scrummaging dented one of the
Highlanders self-proclaimed strengths.
Woodcock with former Highlander Josh Blackie give the Blues real
mongrel and the expected return of Ali Williams this week will only
add to this.
The Blues may have one of the most talented backlines in the
competition but they now know what they need to do to unleash
it.
Keep it simple by hitting the rucks hard - it's not rocket
science.
