'Just another game': Blues play down Moana rivalry

11:08 pm on 16 May 2025

Jonty Dine, Sports Reporter

Blues coach Vern Cotter during a Blues training session. Super Rugby Pacific, Alexandra Park, Auckland, New Zealand. Tuesday 18 June 2024. © Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz

Blues vs Moana

7.05pm Saturday May 17

North Harbour Stadium

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They may be in a more comfortable position on the table, but Blues coach Vern Cotter is far from relaxed.

"I'm sleeping worse!"

His side resumes their cross-city rivalry with Moana Pasifika this Saturday, albeit with the added factor of Albany.

It's been a short, and one sided rivalry between the two Auckland franchises, the Blues having won all five previous games, most recently a pretty comfortable 36-17 win at Eden Park.

While Moana have shown they grow another leg in front of their North Shore faithful, Cotter remains unfazed.

"We're on the bus and just over the bridge, so that's another field, it's a rectangle and we're just talking about how we can play the best we can against a good team."

As well as the venue, Cotter is also continuing to play down the rivalry.

"It's just another game. It's just business as usual, whether it's a travel week or home week, but it's getting towards the end of the season and it's an important game for us. Whether it's Moana or any other team, it's an important game and we want to perform well. We want to be able to string things together and be better than we were last week."

A threat the Blues are unable to ignore, however, is that of Moana skipper Ardie Savea, Cotter noting they will need to shut him down at ruck time.

"That's where he is active and that's where he gets turnovers, so just make sure that we shut him down and other players. But it's not just one thing. They have got good players all over and they've had a bye, so we're very conscious of the fact that the game will probably start hard and fast and we may have to weather a storm and stay focused and locked in. Discipline will be key in this game. Absolutely key."

Coming in off back to back wins for the first time in 2025, Cotter feels his side has finally rediscovered its winning formula, shrugging off criticism that it's a very un-fan-friendly style.

"I think the Blue's way is coming back and I think there's a bit of confidence with that as well. When the Chief's do it, everyone says it's powerful and direct and when we do it, it's boring. So it's just a narrative, isn't it?"

As uncomplicated as their on field tactics may be, Cotter's plan for the remainder of the season is even less so.

"Just winning, winning first and foremost. Winning."