Cheetahs 36 Blues 32
Another thread binding the Blues Super 14 rugby challenge unravelled in Bloemfontein overnight as the Cheetahs surged to a 36-32 victory that essentially extinguishes the Aucklander's semifinal hopes.
Needing maximum points to strengthen their faint play-off hopes, the Blues had to settle for two bonus points - for four tries and losing by less than seven - after the Cheetahs edged a nine-try thriller at Vodacom Park.
The consolation points provisionally take the Blues to eighth on 27 - another disappointing return as they slumped to their second loss on tour.
They need the maximum 10 points from matches against the Lions and Chiefs - plus a number of other results to fall their way.
Handed a relatively easy three-match schedule they dropped the opening match to the Sharks before another inconsistent performance enabled the Cheetahs to record just their third win of the season - and a four-try bonus point for the first time this season.
Trailing 22-13 at halftime, the Blues fought back through tries to Rene Ranger and Alby Mathewson, who ghosted between the posts from a 5m scrum moments after he appeared unlucky to have a try disallowed by the television match official.
Leading 27-22 and with 22 minutes to secure the win and a coveted fourth try, the momentum might have swung the visitors way.
But from the restart the Cheetahs roared back on the attack and replacement loose forward Philip van der Walt's momentum carried him under the crossbar to regain the lead.
Then, with eight minutes remaining, substitute lock Waltie Vermeulen had a small crowd in raptures when he chased down a hack from prop Ryno Barnes on halfway to give the Cheetahs an impregnable nine-point buffer.
The Blues trimmed the gap when replacement wing Anthony Tuitavake - in his first appearance of the campaign - dotted down in the corner but Daniel Kirkpatrick missed the angled conversion, meaning the Blues had to conjure up one last try - the Cheetahs defence was resolute.
The Blues now head to Johannesburg to play the bottom-placed Lions but stand-in captain Jerome Kaino's body language suggested all was lost.
"Once again it was another inconsistent performance," he lamented.
"We didn't get a roll on from the get-go and they did well to capitalise on our mistakes."
The Cheetahs made a dream start in the third minute when inspirational captain Juan Smith ensured Stephen Brett's 50th Super rugby cap started forgettably.
The pivot's loose pass gifted the Cheetahs an early set piece platform and after a couple of useful thrusts, halfback Sarel Pretorius linked with Smith who left Brett on his knees before he scored handy to the posts.
Naas Olivier added the extras but the Blues regained parity four minutes later when Benson Stanley's burst through four defenders and, when finally lowered on the 22, he popped a pass to Isaia Toeava who made a beeline for the right hander corner.
13th-placed Cheetahs ruled the remainder of the half, building on their morale-boosting 25-25 draw in Hamilton.
Olivier banged over a three-pointer when Tony Woodcock was penalised at a scrum, then the Blues inaccuracy at the breakdown was exposed.
Pretorius went close to rewarding effective counter-rucking in the 18th minute, skipping clear of Mathewson and wrong-footing Brett before Kaino clattered him into touch at the corner flag.
However, there was no reprieve two minutes later when an attempt to run the ball from deep culminated in a turnover and a neat grubber kick from Smith for wing Jongi Nokwe to dot down in the right hand corner. Brett narrowed the gap to 15-10 with his second penalty in the 25th minute but from the restart the Blues were caught infringing - and then napping - when a quick tap from Pretorius allowed wing Bjorn Basson to easily outflank Tom Chamberlain and narrow the angle for the accurate Olivier.
Cheetahs 36 (Juan Smith, Jongi Nokwe, Bjorn Basson, Phillip van der Walt, Waltie Vermeulen tries; Naas Olivier penalty, 4 conversions), Auckland Blues 32 (Isaia Toeava, Rene Ranger, Alby Mathewson, Anthony Tuitavake tries; Stephen Brett 2 penalties, 3 conversions). HT: 22-13.
- NZPA
