Blues prop gets Ofa the hook

Would the Blues be worried if they were called the baddest boys in Super Rugby Aotearoa?

Professional rugby players aren’t paid to forge friendships during games. If a coach has to choose between an individual who stays grumpy for 80 minutes, or one who darts about with a happy face, guess who he’s going to select?

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen put it this way: ‘‘Our game is about intimidation. Some people might not want to hear that, but that’s a fact.

‘‘It’s about me dominating you and you do that through intimidation. Legally, not illegally.’’

The Blues wanted to rip the stuffing out of the Crusaders in Auckland last weekend, but playing the role of Bad Santa backfired horribly when Kurt Eklund, who copped a 3-week suspension, and Ofa Tu’ungafasi were cited (the latter, pictured, was yellowcarded but escaped a ban) following the 43-27 defeat.

It would be naive to think Blues players will change their attitude when they meet the Chiefs in Hamilton tomorrow night. They might get razzed from the local fans, given the indiscretions of Eklund and Tu’ungafasi.

Maybe the Blues won’t mind. Perception? Reality? Who cares? They could say they are simply out to win.

1. Prop Tu’ungafasi took on the Sanzaar judiciary committee and won.

He looked set for an enforced holiday after his menacing ruck cleanout of Crusaders captain Scott Barrett but the judicial committee was not satisfied ‘‘on the balance of probabilities that the red card threshold had been met’’.

Interpret it this way: Tu’ungafasi’s charge on Barrett was ugly but not so bad as to warrant a ban.

The lawbook needs an overhaul, surely. Because, at this rate, someone could get seriously hurt.

2. How will Rieko Ioane react if a Chiefs’ player imitates his post-try scoring ritual at FMG Stadium Waikato?

Sevu Reece took the mickey out of Blues midfielder Ioane by replicating his cross-armed pose to celebrate his late try at Eden Park. Ioane later said he harboured no ill-will against his All Blacks team-mate, but noted he would use it as motivation for when the teams meet again in Christchurch on April 25.

Fair enough. The game needs colour, and characters. The more of this, the better.

3. Aaron Smith will make a record 154th appearance for the Highlanders against the Hurricanes.

Smith, remember, was a member of the Blues wider