Super Rugby Pacific: Vern Cotter ready to finish Blues job that Leon MacDonald started
The Blues, of course, still have not won a full Super Rugby competition since 2003, after MacDonald flamed out in the semifinal and final, respectively, in his final two years in charge, before cutting loose to join Scott Robertson’s national setup.
Far from being discouraged, Cotter is upbeat by a largely established group he takes over that includes a half-dozen World Cup All Blacks and five others who pulled on the black jersey in recent years. Never mind that Ian Foster staples Beauden Barrett (Japan) and Nepo Laulala (France) have both departed offshore, as has heart-and-soul type Tom Robinson and yo-yo code-hopper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
On the incoming side of the revolving door Chiefs forwards Laghlan Whannell (lock) and Angus Ta’avao (prop) have been the key pickups for a group that will replace Barrett’s significant influence from existing playmakers Stephen Perofeta, Zarn Sullivan and Harry Plummer.
“It’s been quite a few years since I’ve coached in New Zealand, with my own people so to speak,” said Cotter, who departed in 2006 as Crusaders forwards coach, as he fronted at Blues HQ on Thursday. “It’s nice to be back, and I’m glad NZ Rugby and [the Blues] have shown faith in me.”
Cotter, of course, has been rounding out quite the CV. He coached for eight largely successful years at Clermont Auvergne in France, had three in charge of Scotland, and then three more at Montpellier, before spending 2020-23 running the Fiji national programme (and bailing out in World Cup year).
He’s a different coach now, he admits, from the at-times “grumpy” mentor who left this country nearly two decades ago. That description came from his one-time charge (at Bay of Plenty) and now Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan, and brokered no argument from Cotter.
“I was really competitive and that comes across as grumpy when we don’t get what we want,” he mused. “I’ve been able to work on myself a bit over the years and temper that down. Back in Clayton’s day I was pretty emotional about winning and losing, but I’ve gathered a few more tools around me now.”
He figures on using them to sharpen the squad he inherits from MacDonald which he considered a long way down the rugby track.
“I’ve spoken to some players about this. There is an element of disappointment [about last year]. They’ve done really well from where they’ve come from the last three years, and it’s just nailing that last little bit now and finding out what we need,” he said.
“It’s the players who will come up with the solutions. They’re the guys on the field – we’re only guiding them and helping them a bit. I’m looking forward to sitting down with these guys because there’s talent there and we’ve just got to make sure we can become consistent and build on what Leon has done the last three years.
“There is a bit of disappointment from last year, and I think there might be an edge to how we start the season. We’ve lost some players but have some really good ones coming in. It seems a reasonably well-balanced squad,”
And it did not take long for the new coach to anoint Perofeta as the man to assume Barrett’s playmaking mantle.
“That’s a strong personality leaving, and it leaves space for somebody else to step up. Stephen has just won a title with Taranaki, and that’s a good thing. He knows what playoffs are about and has had a taste of winning and holding the trophy high. That’s important.
“Lucas Cashmore is a great young player coming through and Zarn can play both positions (10 and 15). It’s exciting to have those three guys and trying to position them within the New Zealand system and into the black jersey.”
Cotter was also rapt to have Ta’avao back to offset the IQ lost through Laulala and fellow long-term props Alex Hodgman and James Lay.
“He’s been through a few trials and tribulations the last year or so,” said Cotter. “It was very interesting to watch his progress through NPC. I thought he grew in confidence, and he’s set himself for a good season. He’s one who has aspirations of putting that black jersey on again, which is going to set an example – a 33-year-old tighthead prop … you can’t get better than that.”
Old props chasing far-off goals and even older coaches returning to familiar grounds.These Blues have a nice ring to them for 2024.
Blues
Forwards: Hookers: Kurt Eklund, Ricky Riccitelli, Soane Vikena. Props: Joshua Fusitu’a, Jordan Lay, Marcel Renata, PJ Sheck, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Locks: Josh Beehre, Sam Darry, Laghlan McWhannell, James Thompson, Patrick Tuipulotu, Loose forwards: Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Rob Rush, Anton Segner, Hoskins Sotutu, Cameron Suafoa.
Backs: Halbacks: Finlay Christie, Sam Nock, Taufa Funaki. First fives: Stephen Perofeta, Lucas Cashmore. Midfield: Corey Evans, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Meihana Grindlay, Harry Plummer. Outside backs: Kade Banks, Caleb Clarke, Cole Forbes, AJ Lam, Zarn Sullivan, Caleb Tangitau, Mark Tele’a.
Major gains: Laghlan McWhannell (Chiefs), Angus Ta’avao (Chiefs), Lucas Cashmore (Bay of Plenty).
Major losses: Beuaden Barrett (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Alex Hodgman (Queensland Reds), Nepo Laulala (Toulouse, France), James Lay (Moana Pasifika), Tom Robinson (Toyota Verblitz, Japan), Roger Tuivasa-Skeck (NZ Warriors, NRL).
