June 20, 2022
Tikanga the winner on Blues’ blue day
It may have been a disappointing end to the Super Rugby season for Blues fans, but veteran commentator Ken Laban says the final was a big win for Māori.
The Crusaders broke the Blues’ 15-game win streak with by taking the final 21-7 on Saturday.
Ken Laban says the difference was the southern team’s superior forward pack which dominated scrum and lineouts.
He says Blues head coach Leon MacDonald and the Crusaders’ assistant coach Tamati Ellison bring a strong Māori influence to their teams.
“Scotty’s (Robertson’s) understanding of the importance of things tikanga and te reo and whakapapa are a big part of the Crusaders’ success so apart from the result would have disappointed the Blues fans, for a whole host of reasons there’s much to be proud of,” Mr Laban says.