Blues skipper Dalton Papalii commiserated while the Crusaders celebrated after the Super Rugby Pacific final. 

Dalton Papalii had a heck of a rugby year in 2022 as he deservedly played his way to the head of the queue as the best No 7 in the New Zealand game. But right now when he thinks back to last year, all the reappointed Blues skipper feels is pain. Blues Super Rugby Pacific

“It’s still tough to talk about, man,” says the form openside flanker of the New Zealand game after a tentative first step out with his franchise in 2023. The All Blacks were back, more or less en masse, at the tail end of the pre-season week, but Papalii was still nursing a minor calf strain that left him on light duties only.

But what really hurt was the memory of last year’s not-quite-but-nearly inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign where the Blues rattled off 15 consecutive victories, but then fell at the final hurdle when tipped over by the inexorable Crusaders in the final at Eden Park.

“I’ve got to admit, that was a real low point for me,” reflects Papalii. “We worked so hard and we just didn’t finish, didn’t execute. We went on that good winning streak, but you can't go 15-0, or 15-1, and not win a chip (championship).