Rugby: It should have been a penalty try, says skipper

Keven Mealamu. Photo / Getty Images

Keven Mealamu, direct and abrasive on the field, took a similar post-match philosophy last night to suggest a penalty try should have been forthcoming to his side just before half-time.

The Blues had the Chiefs in a terrible mess at scrum time. Sona Taumalolo wouldn't have been sure if it was Saturday or Christmas Day and the Blues would charge, the Chiefs would fold. It went on. Charge, flop, penalty, scrum.

A warning that the next flop would yield a penalty try was given and as fate would have it, the ball squirmed out the side, the Blues lost control and away came the Chiefs.

The lift for the home side was massive and it felt like it was one of the critical moments, where momentum had shifted and victory would soon be the Chiefs'.

It was a harsh return for the Blues, who deserved something for their power and expertise.

"I think it is one of those areas of the game where you should get the benefit of the doubt when you have them under pressure in that part of the field," said the Blues skipper.

"We always talk about this part of the world not loving the scrum, but we love it and we really want to see us getting the benefits from it as well." If the Blues had lost, no doubt that passage of play would have taken on even greater importance. Mealamu's point, however, perhaps carries greater credibility for the fact it was said in victory.

Referee Ian Smith seemed reluctant to be decisive until he had to do something. Which was at odds with the rest of his game as the penalty count stood at 15-7 in favour of the Blues.

For Chiefs coach Ian Foster that was the difference between the two teams. "It was one of those 50:50 games and that area was always going to make a difference," he said.