The final table didn't reflect that the Blues were probably 10 minutes of concentration away from being possible Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
There's no doubt, if they had been more alert and more urgent in the final quarter of their clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch, they would have won that game and it would have been the Blues and not the Hurricanes who brought the champions' incredible home record to an end.
Forgotten now in the weeks that have elapsed since the Crusaders won their fourth consecutive title, is that the Blues were leading that much-anticipated game 15-9 with 26 minutes to go.
It was more than that, though as the Blues were in control of possession and of territory. They were playing better. They were confident and they were dominating.
But after Rieko Ioane barged over to push them out in front, their lead evaporated all too quickly.
They made the age-old mistake of switching off after scoring and Richie Mo'unga was able to collect his own short kick off and spark a period of pressure that led to Mitch Drummond putting the Crusaders ahead. A position from which they never looked back.
That game in Christchurch was illustrative of the wider picture at the Blues in 2020: they have come so far yet are still not quite where they need to be.
They have improved out of sight in many facets, but still don't quite have the collective poise, experience and belief to finish what they start against the very best.
Still, what's beyond dispute is that they are a vastly different team to the one they have been in the last 17 years.
Denne historien er fra Issue 207, October - November 2020-utgaven av NZ Rugby World.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 207, October - November 2020-utgaven av NZ Rugby World.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The 20 Most Memorable Rugby Acts Of 2020
2020- Most Amazing Rugby Acts
RUGBY ROYALTY
FRANS STEYN’S IMPACT AT LAST YEAR’S WORLD CUP ADDED MORE PRESTIGE TO A DECORATED CAREER THAT ISN’T OVER YET. CRAIG LEWIS FROM SA RUGBY MAGAZINE REPORTS.
WINGING IT FOR LONGER
TYPICALLY POWER WINGS DON'T LAST LONG IN THE ALL BLACKS. BUT CALEB CLARKE AND RIEKO IOANE ARE HOPING TO BUCK THE TREND.
TOUGHEST JOB IN THE WORLD
NZ RUGBY WORLD EDITOR GREGOR PAUL HAS A NEW BOOK OUT CALLED THE CAPTAIN'S RUN. IN IT HE EXPLORES WHAT IT TAKES TO LEAD THE WORLD'S BEST RUGBY TEAM, HOW THE JOB HAS CHANGED AND HOW THE VARIOUS LEADERS HAVE DEALT WITH PRESSURE, FAILURE AND SUCCESS.
WOW FACTOR
SCOTT ROBERTSON IS UNORTHODOX BUT HE'S ALSO BRILLIANT AND WANTS A JOB WITH THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS.
RUGBY REBORN
COVID BROUGHT ECONOMIC CARNAGE IN 2020 BUT RATHER THAN BEING SEEN AS A WRECKER OF FORTUNES, THE PANDEMIC WAS ACTUALLY A GIANT BLESSING.
BATTLE FOR THE BLEDISLOE
THE UNPRECEDENTED CONDITIONS OF 2020 SAW THE INTERNATIONAL CALENDAR HASTILY REDRAWN AND IN A UNIQUE TWIST FOR THE PROFESSIONAL AGE, THE ALL BLACKS PLAYED FOUR CONSECUTIVE TESTS AGAINST AUSTRALIA.
PACIFIC POWER HOUSE
FIJI HAVE NEVER QUITE BEEN ABLE TO FULFIL THEIR ENORMOUS POTENTIAL. BUT THEY MIGHT NOW FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT OF VERN COTTER AS HEAD COACH.
THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION
ON AND OFF THE FIELD, SPRINGBOKS WING CHESLIN KOLBE CONTINUES TO MAKE AN INSPIRATIONAL IMPACT.
DEFENCE FORCE ONE
THE BLUES WERE A RADICALLY DIFFERENT TEAM IN 2020 AND MUCH OF THAT WAS DUE TO THEIR VASTLY IMPROVED WORK ON DEFENCE.
