The Blues aim to defend their Super Rugby Pacific title, boosted by the return of Beauden Barrett. They face a formidable challenge from Australian teams strengthened by the demise of the Rebels.
The Blues , boosted by the return of Beauden Barrett , are aiming for consecutive Super Rugby Pacific titles as the competition kicks off this week. While they are optimistic about their chances, they are also wary of Australian teams that have been strengthened by the absence of the now defunct Rebels . All Blacks playmaker Barrett returns to the Blues , coached by Vern Cotter, after a stint with Toyota Verblitz.
The Blues open their season on Saturday against last year's runners-up, the Waikato Chiefs, at Eden Park. 'Vern's edge, his difference, his style of the way that you saw the Blues played last year, is different to what New Zealand’s experienced in recent times,' said Barrett. He highlighted the growth in leadership of experienced players like Patrick Tuipulotu, Dalton Papali'i, and Rieko Ioane, while noting that everyone is ready to contribute where needed. The Blues were ruthless in last year's final, crushing the Chiefs 41-10 to end the Crusaders' reign, who had won the previous seven Super Rugby titles (including two Super Rugby Aotearoa). 'We know they’ll be out for revenge but we’re here to defend our home turf and start our season on the right foot,' said Cotter of the rematch. 'We’ve seen our boys come back with real intent around their pre-season training and you can feel the desire to go the whole way once again in 2025.' The Crusaders had a disappointing 2024, failing to reach the knockout phase. They face the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday, with new captain David Havili admitting it would be a challenge to lift the team after last season's disappointment. 'From those seven titles, you learn a lot about winning. There have been some downs and some lows on the way through those titles as well. I’ve seen both sides,' he said. 'All I want to do is make my players, and my team, trust that I’ll be there in the big moments for them.'With the Rebels no longer in the competition, Super Rugby Pacific has been reduced to 11 teams – five from New Zealand, four from Australia, plus Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika. The competition format sees teams playing each other once before a finals series begins.'The likes of the Waratahs, or all the Australian teams, have benefited from Rebels players going to other teams,' said Cotter. 'Naturally, you’ll see those teams get stronger.' The Brumbies are again seen as the main threat to New Zealand dominance, looking to improve on their semi-final finishes in the past two seasons. 'We’ve got to understand that we’re making the semi-finals so we’re not doing too much wrong,' said Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa, who will captain the Brumbies for a sixth season. 'For us, it has been important to highlight the good stuff we’re doing over the last few years but also understand the shifts we need to make.
SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC Blues Beauden Barrett Crusaders Australian Teams Brumbies Rebels
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