Third place is up for grabs between the Blues and Crusaders.
With it comes home playoff advantage and the possibility of a second life, should the top two ranked teams (Hurricanes and Chiefs) win their respective finals matches, which are highly likely to be against Australian opposition.
Damian McKenzie remains absent through concussion this week and with the Chiefs resting All Blacks Tupou Vaa’i, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea, the Blues must walk through the door that’s left ajar.
Anton Segner on the charge for the Blues. Photo / Photosport
Beauden Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu and Dalton Papali’i are unavailable through injury this week. But the next generation of emerging talent, the likes of loose forwards Torian Barnes and Malachi Wrampling, offer hope for the Blues.
“It’s a finals mindset heading into this game,” in-form Blues loose forward and stand-in captain Anton Segner said.
“This is what you build towards throughout the whole season – the do or die situation. We’ll get excited to release the shackles on Saturday.
“Through the tough times we’ve had this season we’ve become a close-knit group. We love our fans and playing in front of them so this weekend we’ll give it everything we’ve got to make sure we earn that home advantage.”
Successive losses to the Crusaders and Hurricanes before last week’s bye cast a dark cloud over the Blues’ credentials.
The 47-24 defeat at Eden Park is the most points the Blues have conceded against the Hurricanes, but concerns stretch beyond that stark scoreline.
While the Blues had their moments, their set piece strength has faltered in recent weeks. And with opposition now well prepared for Vern Cotter’s direct, confrontational blueprint, the Blues have not imposed their desired physical dominance at the breakdown, or with their ball carrying, to expose a lack of creativity with their attack.
Anton Segner with Blues coach Vern Cotter at pre-season training. Photo / Photosport
From an attitude, influence and accuracy perspective, German-born Segner has been a consistent ray of light.
This week, he collected three internal player of the year awards to reflect a standout campaign that has thrust his name into the All Blacks conversation.
While Papali’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Devan Flanders and Samipeni Finau prepare to depart, New Zealand’s loose forward stocks remain stacked as Segner and Highlanders flanker Lucas Casey add their names to the overflowing list of contenders.
Segner is thriving in his fifth season with the Blues as the 24-year-old marks himself as a future long-term captain of the franchise.
Extended game time has allowed Segner to showcase his jackling turnover presence and relentless work-rate.
His ball carrying – after adding four kilograms to his frame in the off-season to sit about 111kg – has seen a big shift in his game too.
“The big one is maturing not just physically but mentally. I’ve been in this environment for a while now.
“Physically my body has filled out again. I felt that massively after the NPC season last year. During that time I had six, seven weeks off where I was able to refresh back home in Germany.
“Coming back here I felt in good shape and I was able to carry that momentum through to this year.
“Four kilos might not seem like much to people but I definitely feel it in contact. The important thing is I’m still able to play 80 minutes of rugby at full pace.
“My body is getting used to that weight, which is part of physically maturing. I feel really comfortable.
Despite their obvious struggles, Segner projects confidence the Blues can reignite their seemingly freefalling campaign.
Anton Segner (right) with Hoskins Sotutu at Blues training. Photo / Photosport
“We want to improve on finding enjoyment in what we do again. We’ve got a good culture going on. We’ve had a couple of tough weeks with tough results but it’s the tough times that bring you closer.
“We got a bit stuck in our system and going late in the season we haven’t put ourselves in a position to rotate. The bye week came at a good time. It gave us a chance to refresh physically and mentally.
“We had fun again at training … The way we’re looking to play on Saturday will reflect that. We want to dominate the collisions and have a strong set piece and executing the other parts of our game plan.
“It’s been disappointing for us the last couple of weeks that we haven’t been able to dominate those areas. We know the Chiefs will come hard there and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Personal accolades reflect Segner’s rising status but in the context of their season, he would swap that recognition for a revival in the Blues form.
“It’s always a bit of a strange feeling having those awards nights during the season because you still have everything to play for.
“I’m very thankful for all the awards, especially the players’ players one. Getting acknowledged by your teammates is very special.”
Blues:
1. Mason Tupaea 2. James Mullan 3. Marcel Renata 4. Josh Beehre 5. Sam Darry 6. Torian Barnes 7. Anton Segner (c) 8. Malachi Wrampling 9. Sam Nock 10. Stephen Perofeta 11. Caleb Clarke 12. Pita Ahki 13. Xavi Taele 14. AJ Lam 15. Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: 16. Eli Oudenryn (debut), 17. Joshua Fusitu’a, 18. Flyn Yates, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Hoskins Sotutu, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Corey Evans, 23. Codemeru Vai
Chiefs:
1. Jared Proffit 2. Tyrone Thompson 3. George Dyer 4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi 5. Josh Lord 6. Samipeni Finau 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Wallace Sititi (c) 9. Cortez Ratima 10. Josh Jacomb 11. Kyren Taumoefolau 12. Reon Paul 13. Daniel Rona 14. Daniel Sinkinson 15. Liam Coombes-Fabling
Reserves 16. Brodie McAlister 17. Benét Kumeroa 18. Keran van Staden 19. Fiti Sa 20. Kaylum Boshier (vc) 21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi 22. Tepaea Cook-Savage 23. Lalakai Foketi
Liam Napier is a senior sports journalist and rugby correspondent for the NZ Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.