Blues player ratings vs Reds | Super Rugby Pacific

The Blues returned to successful methods on Friday evening, however it might have come at a value with star playmaker Beauden Barrett limping off the sector early within the second half.

Taking part in in opposition to the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium, the Blues have been seeking to bounce again from their disappointing loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch final weekend.

Following 20-minutes of back-and-forth rugby, Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan scored the primary strive of the competition – courtesy of some brilliance from Beauden Barrett.

However, whereas the Blues continued to stamp their authority on the competition, it wasn’t all excellent news for the Auckland-based franchise. Barrett left the sector early within the second-half, though was seen later within the broadcast smiling on the sidelines.

On the finish of the 80 minutes, the Blues had earned an emphatic 26-45 win over the house aspect in Brisbane. Right here’s how the Blues rated.

Zarn Sullivan – 7.5/10

Fullback Zarn Sullivan scored the Blues’ opening strive of the competition halfway by way of the primary half, and was in any other case a strong possibility out the again for the Auckland-based franchise. However, for intervals of the match at the least, the skin again simply appeared to go lacking a bit of bit.

Mark Telea – 8.5

Whether or not you think about Mark Telea’s stat line or not, there was a fairly clear player of the match on Friday evening. Telea was a person on a mission – operating riot each time he received his fingers on the ball. After 80 minutes of entertaining rugby, Telea had run for 161 meters off 15 carries.

A deadly combo ⚡️#REDvBLU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/4vIKa9SVQg

— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) Might 19, 2023

The All Blacks and Blues winger additionally crossed for a strive late within the contest.

Bryce Heem – 8

Blues centre Bryce Heem was dependable on either side of the ball. Whether or not it was making hard-hitting tackles or creating some chaos in assault, Heem was a greater than useful substitute for common No. 13 Rieko Ioane.

Heem ran the ball seven occasions for 54 metres, made one clear break, beat three defenders and likewise made 9 tackles. General, a really strong outing from the Blues midfielder.

Harry Plummer – 7.5

When Beauden Barrett went off injured early within the second half – spoiler alert for individuals who are but to learn on – Plummer actually stepped up and confirmed his class as a recreation driver for the Blues. The skilled playmaker led the Blues across the park with grace, ability and poise, and likewise made his mark on the defensive aspect of the ball.

AJ Lam – 7.5

Blues winger AJ Lam had a stellar first half in opposition to the Reds, however his evening was sadly lower brief simply after the break. Following a sensational opening 40, which included greater than 100 operating metres from seven carries, Lam was helped from the sector about two minutes into the second time period.

Beauden Barrett – 8

Greater than 5,000,000 New Zealanders held their breath in unison on Friday night as star playmaker Beauden Barrett limped from the sector early within the second half in opposition to the Reds. With lower than 4 months to go till this yr’s Rugby World Cup, the uncertainty surrounding the severity of the incident is damming.

Beauden Barrett has simply gone off injured in opposition to the Reds.

With lower than 4 months to go till this yr’s Rugby World Cup, greater than 5,000,000 New Zealanders maintain their breath.#AllBlacks #SuperRugbyPacific #RugbyWorldCup @RugbyPass

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— Finn Morton (@FinnMorton5) Might 19, 2023

Sadly for Barrett, after weeks of criticism and scrutiny, the All Black had discovered some surreal kind through the opening 50 minutes or so of the spherical 13 conflict. Barrett arrange Zarn Sullivan’s strive with an excellent brief ball to Cameron Suafoa, and crossed for one among his personal shortly after. The 2-time World Rugby Player of the Yr confirmed glimpses of his greatest – it’s only a disgrace the way it ended.

Sam Nock – 6.5

It is a little bit of a controversial ranking, so I’ll begin with the nice. Nock held his personal within the No. 9 jersey, as he each kicked and handed fast effectively – main the Blues across the park within the course of. However with out a single run all through his 79 minutes out within the center, I can’t assist however suppose that Nock wasn’t as efficient as what he might’ve been.

Jordan Lay – 7

Any entrance rower that stays on the sector for 60 minutes deserve some reward. Lay was made to work in opposition to the Reds, and repaid the religion proven in him by making a severe affect across the grounds. Lay was dependable on the set-piece, and accomplished 100 per cent of his deal with makes an attempt.

Ricky Riccitelli – 7

Ricky Riccitelli is without doubt one of the most dependable gamers within the Blues squad. Time and time once more, week after week, the Blues hooker continues to indicate up for his aspect – and Friday evening’s trans-Tasman derby was no exception.

Not solely was Riccitelli correct on the lineout, as his 5 of his targets on the evening, however the 28-year-old was additionally on a mission across the park. Once more, the dependable Blues star was a menace on either side of the ball – definitely making his mark by the point he was changed.

Marcel Renata – 7

Blues prop Marcel Renata put in a strong shift at Suncorp Stadium. Particularly on the defensive aspect of the ball, Renata was relentless – ending with 100 per cent deal with accuracy from 11 makes an attempt.

However, to cite Rocky Balboa – as a result of why not, it wasn’t “all sunshine and rainbows.” Renata was dependable on the set-piece, for essentially the most half, however did give away a penalty for wheeling the scrum across the 13 minute mark.

Patrick Tuipulotu – 8

Proper from the get-go, there was one thing about Patrick Tuipulotu that impressed. From minute one, the captain led by instance in opposition to the Reds. Early within the contest, the All Black was particularly spectacular with the ball-in-hand – happening a rampage, and wreaking havoc each time he touched the ball.

However because the match went on, the skipper continued to stamp his authority on the competition on the set-piece, and in defnece as effectively. Early within the second-half, Tuipulotu was even rewarded for his efforts with a five-pointer.

Cameron Suafoa – 7

Unquestionably, Cameron Suafoa’s standout second got here halfway by way of the primary half when he helped arrange Zarn Sullivan for the Blues’ opening strive. Working off star playmaker Beauden Barrett, Suafoa ran an excellent line, earlier than drawing in defenders and getting the cross off to the try-scorer.

Across the grounds, Suafoa was good with out being nice. The lock had some impactful moments, however it wasn’t his greatest efficiency in Blue – though it was removed from horrible. Suafoa made all six of his deal with makes an attempt, and likewise carried with goal each time he received his fingers on the ball.

Akira Ioane – 7.5

Again within the beginning aspect this week, All Black Akira Ioane went lacking a bit of bit in opposition to the Reds. To be honest, Ioane was a piece horse on the defensive aspect of the ball – and possibly spend a majority of his time at the hours of darkness areas of a rugby subject.

Ioane completed with 14 tackles to his identify, and likewise ran the ball seven occasions for 25 metres. A strong efficiency from the Check flanker, however it wasn’t his greatest.

Adrian Choat – 7

Flanker Adrian Choat was particularly spectacular in defnece, ending with the equal-most tackles out of any Blues player with 14. Choat simply gave the impression to be in the midst of every part, and ran away with what gave the impression to be an abundance of power. A strong knock from the Blues No. 7.

Hoskins Sotutu – 7.5

Similar to a few of his teammates, All Blacks and Blues free ahead Hoskins Sotutu was good with out being nice on Friday evening. Now, Sotutu has set fairly a excessive bar for himself throughout his taking part in days – a 7.5 ranking is definitely nothing to panic about forward of the World Cup.

Sotutu simply went lacking a bit of bit, however when he was on, he was on. The No. 8 completed with 100 per cent deal with accuracy and likewise ran the ball eight occasions for 31 metres.

Replacements:

Kurt Eklund – 7
Joshua Fusitu’a – 6.5
Nepo Laulala – 7
James Tucker – 5.5
Anton Segner – 6
Taufa Funaki – 6
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – 6
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens – 6.5