Waratahs 17
The Blues produced a stunning display of running rugby in the first half to overwhelm the NSW Waratahs 31-17 in their Super 15 rugby match at Eden Park in Auckland tonight.
They scored five tries in a sizzling first half to overrun their opponents with a mix of aggression and slick interpassing that the Waratahs had no answer to.
The second half failed to live up to the lofty heights of the first stanza, but it was effectively over as a contest at the break with the Blues leading 31-7. They must have thought that too, as they were kept scoreless after the interval as the Waratahs tested them with all they could muster.
Super 15 standings
With five-eighths Stephen Brett and Luke McAlister controlling the game in the first half and the forward pack in the ascendancy, the Blues backline was able to show its considerable wares. They were able to get outside their opposites and posed problems every time they had the ball as the Waratahs defensive line was caught in two minds time and again.
The Blues, who enjoyed a bye last week, came into the match refreshed and they showed the benefit of the week off with an energy and intensity that the Waratahs, who were missing several key players, had no answer to.
The Waratahs had the better of the opening encounters, but the Blues chalked up the first points after prop John Afoa showed superb handling to swoop on a stabbed kick behind the Waratahs backs by McAlister , sidestep the cover defence and then crash over in the 10th minute.
The front row fraternity were celebrating again three minutes later when Tevita Mailau capped a move sparked by Jared Payne. The Northland centre, who has been in superb form this Super 15 season, found support in Isaia Toeava who sent lock Kurtis Haiu lumbering towards the line, but when he was hauled down metres short the ball was eventually recycled to Mailau, playing in place of the injured All Black Tony Woodcock, who took delight in scoring.
The Blues were intent to turn the Waratahs' defence at every opportunity and it was another grubber kick from McAlister, fumbled by Lachie Turner, that found its way into Payne's hands and Auckland had their third try in a 10-minute blitz.
Such was the assured handling in greasy conditions that the first scrum only arrived after 25 minutes, but that only signalled the best try of the match when a sweeping Blues move, with McAlister and Toeava again to the fore, ended with Rene Ranger ensuring the home side were in bonus point territory after 26 minutes.
The Waratahs, who had shown little on attack, got on the board after a series of phases created space near the line for second five-eighth Daniel Halangahu to go over. But the Blues had final say before the break with Alby Mathewson sniping over after more slick interpassing to give the home side a 31-7 lead at the interval.
It was a much different Waratahs side after the resumption. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau was held up over the line and Turner was denied by a desperate Toeava tackle before Drew Mitchell and Ryan Cross scored in quick succession to make the Blues hearts beat a little faster.
But Blues coach Pat Lam had been confident enough to give some of his big guns a rest, although Haiu was forced from the field in the first half after a head knock, and his replacements rewarded his faith to run down the clock and guarantee the win.
Blues 31 (John Afoa, Tevita Mailau, Jared Payne, Rene Ranger, Alby Mathewson tries; Luke McAlister 3 con) Waratahs 17 (Daniel Halangahu, Drew Mitchell, Ryan Cross tries; Kurtley Beale con). Halftime: 31-7.
- NZPA
