Lions 32
Replacement winger Rene Ranger scored two tries as the Blues mounted a second-half revival to subdue the Lions in a Super 15 rugby match in Johannesburg today.
The tourists scored 24 points after the break to stage a second stirring comeback in three games and deny the Lions a chance to end their losing streak which now stands at 17 games.
MATCH STATS
SUPER 15 STANDINGS
Ranger, and fellow substitutes Anthony Boric and Keven Mealamu, helped get the Blues back on song after they had trailed 25-17 at the interval.
The Lions, showing the lack of confidence of a team that has forgotten the taste of success, could only blame themselves for their failure to close out the game when given the chance.
The Blues, smarting after a loss in Durban last week, started with a hiss and a roar and Joe Rokocoko went over in the corner after a backline attack which featured superb passing from Luke McAlister and Jarrad Payne.
The home side hit back after No 8 Warren Whiteley burst through a hole in the lineout on the halfway and then showed impressive pace to keep the defence at bay before the ball made its way to halfback Jano Vermaak to cross in the corner after eight minutes.
Rokocoko, who looked full of running, created the Blues' second try when he regathered his chip kick and Payne capped the attack to dot down.
The Blues, up 14-7 at this stage, were in control of the match but after Lions first five-eighth Elton Jantjies kicked a penalty and McAlister a drop goal, the visitors went to sleep at the home side seized the advantage.
Whiteley, impressive in open play, was rewarded for the Lions' willingness to chance their arm and he crossed at the end of a move that saw the Blues' backline defence breached too easily.
A Jantjies penalty gave the Lions the lead for the first time and all the momentum was with the home side going to the break which was confirmed when second five-eighth Doppies la Grange crossed with Blues lock Kurtis Haiu in the sin-bin for slowing the ball down.
Leading 25-17 at the interval, the Lions threatened after the resumption, but botched two try-scoring opportunities and the Blues made them pay for their mistakes.
Ranger, on for winger Sherwin Stowers, scored with his first touch of the ball after being put away by Payne. The same Northland pair teamed up again after a break from McAlister.
When Joshua Strauss drove over to make the score 34-32 the Lions were back with a sniff but they knocked the ball on when trying to run the ball from within their own 22m.
From the ensuing scrum close to the line halfback Alby Mathewson scooted over to put the result beyond doubt.
There was still enough time for the Lions to threaten at the other end, but bizarrely they turned down kickable penalties, and the chance of a second bonus point, in the quest for a fifth try.
Lions 32 (Jano Vermaak, Warren Whiteley, Doppies la Grange, Joshua Strauss tries; Elton Jantjies 3 con, 2 pen) Blues 41 (Rene Ranger 2, Joe Rokocoko, Jarrad Payne, Alby Mathewson tries; Luke McAlister 4 con, 1 pen, 1 drop goal, Stephen Brett 1 con). Halftime 25-17
- NZPA
