Highlanders 15 Blues 40
View photosKEY POINTS:
Nick Evans returned to his old stamping ground in style tonight, scoring the Blues first 21 points in their 40-15 Super 14 rugby win over the Highlanders at Carisbrook.
Their bonus-point victory has now enabled them to make a serious bid for the semifinals when they host the Hurricanes at Eden Park on Friday.
Former Otago and Highlanders first five-eighth Evans, who announced this week that he was off to play for English club Harlequins at the end of this season until mid-2011, scored two tries and kicked three penalties and a conversion in their 26-3 halftime lead. He added another conversion before retiring in the last quarter.
The Blues, showing the type of game that had convinced most New Zealand fans that they would be serious title contenders early in the season, scored five tries to two.
They took the wind out of the Highlanders by halftime with a strong scrum and by committing them to numerous tackles.
Though the Highlanders' formed their usual solid defence, their first-up tackles were rather poor.
Halfback Taniela Moa serviced the backline efficiently and Blues turned the Highlanders constantly.
Evans, who continued at fullback, with Isa Nacewa remaining at first five-eighth, gave his team an ideal start with three penalties for their 9-0 lead in the first quarter.
Highlanders first five-eighth Mike Delany missed his first shot at goal but succeeded with his second before Evans raced in for his two tries.
Both tries followed lineouts, with the second coming after props Tony Woodcock and John Afoa featured in attacking runs before Evans was put through.
The Blues' third try was the result of a bad pass back over the goal area by centre Aaron Bancroft. The Blues twisted the ensuing five-metre scrum and Moa fed speeding winger Rudi Wulf on the short side for a clear run to the line.
The Highlanders eventually showed their wonderful attacking skills with two quick tries by Bancroft and blindside flanker and national sevens player Adam Thomson. Halfback Jimmy Cowan and second five-eighth Johnny Leota were key contributors both times.
Despite the Blues' lead being cut to 26-15, they were in no danger of losing the game.
Centre Anthony Tuitavake delivered their bonus point fourth try in the 67th minute, using his trademark "chop-back" run against the current before straightening up to score and winger David Smith scored the fifth when the Highlanders had forward Chris King in the sinbin.
Blues 40 (Nick Evans 2, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, David Smith tries; Evans 3 pen, 2 con; Ben Atiga con) Highlanders 15 (Aaron Bancroft, Adam Thomson tries; Mike Delany pen, con). Halftime: 26-3.
- NZPA
