A tactically inept performance from the Blues exposed the dangers of effectively carrying one first five-eighth.
As the Blues slumped to their staggering 11th straight away loss against the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night, the challenges of accommodating Benji Marshall's tentative transition were also abundantly clear.
Simon Hickey cannot solely be fingered for the 26-9 defeat, which served a cold reality check. But after a solid start the rookie pivot endured a humbling experience.
Hickey's goal-kicking remains a valuable asset and, before the collective capitulation in the Australian capital, his general play had been sound.
His tackling ability, though, is sure to become a major target after Wallabies second-five Pat McCabe caused the diminutive 20-year-old nightmares. In testing wet conditions Hickey's clearance kicks also lacked distance and accuracy, leaving the Blues suffocated and strangled from the outset.
"We've got a young nine and 10 and it was a great learning experience for them," Blues coach Sir John Kirwan said.
The reality is Kirwan left himself nowhere to turn.
Since discarding Chris Noakes, the Blues' 23-man squads have just one genuine first-five option in Hickey.
Few, if any other rugby teams at any level, don't carry a secondary No 10. Kirwan professes confidence in Marshall's ability to cover first-five and fullback, but preseason experimentation as backline general confirmed the star league convert is well off being ready to assume the weighty responsibly of directing the team.
Hickey must be persevered with but should injury strike him down early in a match and Marshall is required to slot in at 10, the Blues could be in serious strife.
"We need to keep developing Simon. I was quite happy to leave him out there," Kirwan said. "I'm quite happy for Benji to cover both positions at the moment."
Marshall's $480,000 annual salary demands game-time. And it's the only way he will develop. That conundrum leaves Kirwan in a bind. If Hickey is put under the same pressure and again doesn't respond as required, the Blues risk a repeat of the meltdown against the Brumbies.
The blueprint for containing Kirwan's men has been set. The Hurricanes (away), Waratahs (home), Reds (home) and Chiefs (away) will have taken note.
Leading into their first, much-needed bye, other than a dominant scrum and no further injury concerns there were few positives for the Blues. Messages from management to move away from the kicking game-plan were apparently ignored and a lack of on-field leadership also failed to change tactics.
Stephen Larkham's presence was stamped all over the one-sided affair as Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg and halfback Nic White pounded the Blues into submission with pin-point nudges.
"It was frustrating. We didn't get our game going at all," Kirwan said. "After 20 minutes we needed to take a few more risks."
Kirwan also rejected the suggestion the Blues now had serious problems when it came to playing away from Eden Park.
"I don't think it's a mental thing," he said. "We were in the fight throughout the whole game. The passion and commitment were there but tactically we were outplayed."
About the only consolation can be found in returning personnel. Kirwan expects lock Tom Donnelly, No 8 Peter Saili, hooker Keven Mealamu and midfielder Jackson Willison to be back on deck after the week off.
It's been a typical rollercoaster ride from the Blues. They need to fast find the controls or another disastrous late-season crash may be looming.
- © Fairfax NZ News
