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'It was a step back' - Error-ridden Blues rue mistakes after another loss
By Online Editors
New Blues coach Leon MacDonald has given a stark assessment of his side's losing effort against the Sharks in Durban.
After a close 22-20 defeat to the Crusaders at home last weekend, the Blues were handled 26-7 on the road against a classy Sharks outfit.
"It was a step back, no doubt about it," MacDonald said after the match.
"The most disappointing thing is we were responsible for most of the mistakes.
"We're all very disappointed with the performance."
The Sharks scored four tries to the Blues' one, with an 80 metre Curwin Bosch intercept try sealing victory for the home side.
Despite having most of the ball, the Blues failed to capitalise as they chalked up 362 metres to the Sharks' 449 in almost twice as many carries. The Sharks also broke the Blues line 14 times, which will be an area of concern moving forward.
MacDonald drew on the conditions that his side failed to adapt to.
"We struggled to cope with the heat, really battled in that first half and never got our game going.
"The ball was sweaty and slippery and we didn't cope with it.
"In the heat some of our big men struggled to get around the park and we struggled to keep our attacking shape which meant we looked disorganised at times."
The Blues, now 0-2 to start the season, have another tough task ahead as they prepare to face the Jaguares in Buenos Aires, still searching for their first victory under MacDonald.
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Latest Comments
Perofeta came back and was available for the eoyt right? Or was that why Love was in the squad (but got injured in the last week)?
It was such a frustrating year. Perofeta looked a service stop gap until Jordan was fit, but then got injured. Plummer was selected because of Pero's injury and dmac shat the bed in the second half in Australia but Clarke (?) got himself binned at the 65 min mark so Plummer couldn't come on (at least with the risk adverse Razors thinking) when he was planned to.
So many other exciting opportunities that could have happened without injuries, but then theyre probably balanced by knowing Sititi probably wouldn't have been given a chance without multiple injuries happened.
Go to commentsIf they want to improve they need a backs coach. Thats the big area they have failed this year. Talent isnt the problem. Coaching is.
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