Sadly a loss, but a very good 60 minute performance from the Tahs.
What was going on in the first 20 I don't know, I counted 6 Tah errors in the first 6 minutes (Phipps kick out on the full, dropped balls, stupid penalties) and thought they might put 80 on us. Then things turned around, and we watched a pretty good game of football between two good teams, which the Tahs won 29-15, all good but for that appalling start.
To me the turning point was a driving, dominant tackle followed immediately by a turnover by HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes), those are the moments that lift sides, and I thought the Tahs were in the game from that moment on.
I thought HJH (Harry Johnson-Holmes) was by far the Tahs best, followed by Staniforth, who certainly played his best game in light blue. He should retain that lock spot, with Hanigan to fight it out with Dempsey, Wells and Holloway when he gets back for a spot in the back row.
The centres remain a real dilemma. Hunt had a poor game last night, but has generally been pretty good, with hard, straight running and tough defence, however without Beale there just seems to be no creativity in the backs. Unfortunately, with that creativity and spark come a lot of negatives, like a total lack of commitment in defence, the occasional high risk play when it's not on and the crabbing across field. Possibly Hunt at 12 and Foketi at 13, with Beale off the bench? A tough one.
On a positive note, we now have three Super rugby class wingers battling it out for two spots. I think both Newsome and Clarke have been very sound, and Rona has also been good. Probably Rona and Newsome would be my choice, but I wouldn't object to any other combination of the three.
Finally, well done the Blues, they are a very good side, and could well find themselves in the play-offs this year.