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Stanley appreciates open spaces

Missing a chance for winner's points against the Hurricanes due to its own indiscipline cost the Blues and that has left them wary of the Highlanders threat ahead of Friday's game in Dunedin.

Thursday, 18 February 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Missing a chance for winner's points against the Hurricanes due to its own indiscipline cost the Blues and that has left them wary of the Highlanders threat ahead of Friday's game in Dunedin.

The Highlanders also lost, but like the Blues, were competitive through the first three-quarters of their game, only to fade towards the end.

The Blues suffered heavily at the return to basic law at the breakdown, conceding nine penalties, but on the occasions the Blues were able to clear their own ball it was appreciated by one of the more potent backlines, on paper, in the competition.

Second five-eighths Benson Stanley is one who has the chance to appreciate the improved ball from the breakdown. The ball was a lot quicker getting to the backs, he said.

"Generally quicker ball means defences are less organised and so you're not seeing the same line speed and defence is just clustered around the attack really. They don't have time to set," he said.

And while the Blues had been the first to be exposed to the way the law was being applied, they had lacked the adaptability to put them to best use.

However, he was confident the laws would provide more opportunities for the backlines.

"Especially off phase, you should see a lot more space there," he said.

"It's pretty exciting. It's been pretty tough the last few years to play running rugby and in the end it's been the team whose had the best kicking game, and kicking contestors, that's been the one that generally took home the bacon.

"It's encouraging, but it's a matter of the players adapting because obviously footy is a little bit subjective on how the refs see the game and it is up to us to adapt quickly to how they are seeing and getting it right," he said.

In the opener, the loss against the Hurricanes, Stanley said the penalties conceded by the Blues had been a combination of bad discipline and some fatigue sneaking in.

There was a realisation that the game represented a chance lost.

"We came in at halftime feeling pretty good, we were up and we felt like we'd handled them reasonably well but everyone knows, championship teams do the damage throughout the full 80 and especially in the last 20 and that's where they took it away from us.

"There's some encouraging signs and there's also stuff to work on. We're no exception, even teams that win have the same sort of formula. I think we can build on what we did last week and hopefully get the result down in Dunedin."

Playing at Carisbrook was always tough and the Blues would need to be at their best to avoid coming off second best, he said.

Stanley is convinced that better times are ahead of the Blues, especially if they can get their best side on the field.

"If we can just get in behind each other, keep that belief going, despite what everyone says, we just block that out and focus on ourselves," he said.

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