The other games were try-scoring feasts, headed by the Chiefs and Moana Pasifika (13 tries and 81 points in the match), the Hurricanes and the Waratahs (12 tries, 78 points), Highlanders-Force (10 tries, 70 points) and Reds-Brumbies (9 tries, 65 points). That\u2019s 44 tries in four games and just below 300 points in 320 minutes of rugby.<\/p>\n
Blues captain Dalton Papali\u2019i tracks the ball during the Super Rugby victory over the Crusaders at Eden Park. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Super fun if you like tries being scored (and who doesn\u2019t?) but some defences were far too easily opened. While we are still in the early-days, frothy part of Super Rugby (the intensity will increase later), it is nonetheless limited value as test-match prep.<\/p>\n
However, we can exempt the first half when the Blues attacked the breakdown (skipper Dalton Papali\u2019i<\/a> said later they\u2019d approached the match<\/a> with \u201ddog\u201d), sabotaged the Crusaders\u2019 lineout (good work, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre and later Anton Segner), their scrum was solid, they drove well in the narrow channels before going wide, and their defence was committed. The second half got messy, but the first was likely not a million miles from how Rennie may want his team to play<\/a>. Though the Crusaders had an off day and sorely missed Will Jordan, the Blues\u2019 style reduced errors and promoted them in the opposition.<\/p>\n Clarke and Carter<\/p>\n If the All Blacks were selected right now, Caleb Clarke and Leroy Carter would be the starting wings. Clarke\u2019s three tries, pace and strength<\/a> led the way and Carter\u2019s own three-try performance was copybook in terms of pace, finishing and adding value in general play, rather than lodging out on the wing.<\/p>\n Midfield riches<\/p>\n However, who\u2019d be chosen at second five-eighths? In my view, Jordie Barrett still leads the way after another creative performance at the heart of the Hurricanes\u2019 scoring. He had a leading hand in three tries in the second half, sewing up the match, and was instrumental in the Canes\u2019 repeated penetration of the Waratahs defence for the 59-19 win.<\/p>\n But how do you omit Quinn Tupaea<\/a> and\/or Timoci Tavatavanawai<\/a>? Both again had leading roles in victories \u2013 and both are of the blood-and-thunder, I\u2019m-going-straight-ahead type of player Rennie is said to like and who also excel in offloads and turnovers.<\/p>\n Not yet a test 13<\/p>\n Centre is likely to be causing some concern. Billy Proctor is running like a scalded cat<\/a> in the comparative roominess of Super Rugby. His three tries against the Waratahs were well taken though he gave away one to Max Jorgensen with a poor bridge pass.<\/p>\n Crusaders utility Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku may be better suited to the intensity of test rugby \u2013 but does not yet look like an All Blacks centre. His distribution is fine, but he too often heads for contact and, against the Blues, lost the ball too much. <\/p>\n Barrett wins return of the 10s<\/p>\n In their first matches of 2026, Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie made contrasting studies. McKenzie was mostly happy to feed his outsides while making a couple of nice dabs \u2013 while Barrett played a more complete game, steering the Blues purposefully, his running and passing impactful. McKenzie will have relished the 57-24 win over Moana Pasifika and is nicely primed for the Chiefs\u2019 next match, away to the Brumbies on March 20<\/a>.<\/p>\n Gardiner continues to bloom<\/p>\n Blindside flanker is more complicated. Incumbent Simon Parker probably has a narrow lead right now with the Crusaders\u2019 Dom Gardiner close behind. Gardiner blotted his copybook with a yellow card for head contact but showed energy and speed saving a potential try after the Blues\u2019 Cody Vai kicked ahead to regather. His deft pass was also essential in Rivez Reihana\u2019s try which brought the Crusaders back to 19-13 down against the Blues. The leading candidates are probably: Parker 1, Gardiner 2, Devon Flanders (Hurricanes) 3, Ethan Blackadder 4, Samipeni Finau 5 (though he has barely had game time yet).<\/p>\n Hooker pressure cooker<\/p>\n Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho maintained his challenge to be starting All Blacks\u2019 hooker with a solid match for the Chiefs while Codie Taylor also hewed away well, scoring a driving maul try. Asafo Aumua is also in the race, with a good try and several powerful carries against the Waratahs. Throwing remains his weak spot, however, with four wayward efforts (though one was expertly poached by the Waratahs\u2019 Miles Amatosero), one of which indirectly led to a Waratahs try.<\/p>\n Change the knock-down law<\/p>\nBlues winger Caleb Clarke scores against the Crusaders at Eden Park. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Blues playmaker Beauden Barrett makes a run against the Crusaders. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n