The future All Blacks that could turn the inconsistent Blues from mediocre to genuine playoff contenders
Seven weeks ago, the Blues were in the middle of a rare streak of success that had catapulted them into the stratosphere of playoff contention.
A three-match losing run to open their 2019 campaign reeked of the mediocrity that Super Rugby fans have come to expect from the three-time champions over the past decade-and-a-half.
Shoddy goal-kicking and the might of Braydon Ennor allowed the Crusaders to escape Eden Park with a tight win in round one, while losses on the road to the Sharks and Jaguares were disappointing for the Auckland franchise, although not overly surprising.
After all, the Blues are yet to make the Super Rugby post-season after reaching the semi-finals in 2011 and came into this year off the back of a 14th-place finish in 2018.
However, the tide turned in round four.
Hosting the Sunwolves at QBE Stadium in the North Shore suburb of Albany, the Sonny Bill Williams-captained side clinched a 28-20 victory over the Japanese club, with the sudden death of ex-Blues prop Mike Tamoaieta providing plenty of motivation for the mourning team.
From there onwards, consecutive wins against the Highlanders, Stormers and Waratahs elevated the Blues to as high as fifth as the likes of Rieko Ioane, Ma’a Nonu and Tom Robinson turned heads with consistently impressive performances.
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