Blue blitz buries Brumbies

19 Mar 2010

Three quick tries after half-time propelled the Blues to a 39-34 win over the Brumbies in Auckland.

The Brumbies’ tactics were flawed from the outset, as they allowed the Blues to run at their defence. They also tried to attack from their own half far too often, and the boot of Matt Giteau wasn’t utilised to the point where their territorial dominance could have set the stage for a comfortable victory.

Brumbies coach Andy Friend will be having nightmares about that period after the break. The Brumbies held a 16-10 advantage at half-time, but saw that lead eclipsed almost immediately. The Blues added two more tries in quick succession, and another before the game entered the final quarter. The visitors fought back bravely, but had too much ground to make up.

The Blues continue to thrill as much as they disappoint. Their speed and power in open play is constantly undermined by poor decision making and untimely handling errors, while their inconsistency at the set-piece means they battle to place opposition teams under sustained pressure. If they manage to get their set-pieces right, they’re going to be a threat to even the most organised defensive teams.

There was plenty of emotion evident in this outing with Keven Mealamu winning his 100th cap. The Blues’ defence flew at the Brumbies and it was unsurprising to see several white jumpers stained red with blood after just 20 minutes.

By contrast, the Brumbies allowed the Blues to run at their defence which resulted in linebreaks and offloads that led to several promising surges. Initially, the Brumbies’ scrambling defence was excellent and their decision-making at the ruck superb. If they had stuck to a territory-based strategy from the outset, they may well have romped to a comfortable victory.

A clinical build up saw the visitors scoring through prop Salesi Maafu in the 11th minute, but the Blues struck back four minutes later. Centre Rene Ranger produced a penetrative effort, setting up a much-needed try for Joe Rokocoko. Mealamu opted to turn down a kickable penalty and the Blues eventually flung it wide to Ranger, who bulldozed Christian Lealiifano before offloading to the Rocket Man.

Matt Giteau and Stephen Brett exchanged penalties before the Wallabies flyhalf reclaimed the lead in the 27th minute. Brett had an opportunity to level the scores again, but sent his attempt horribly wide.

The Blues spurned subsequent opportunities through skew lineout feeds and a Brett-dummy that only resulted in a turnover five metres from the Brumbies line. Giteau received another penalty before half-time and banked the points.

The complexion of the game changed after the break as the Blues scored three tries in the space of 15 minutes. Ranger corkscrewed his way through three tackles to touch down, while Benson Stanley flew in at the corner soon after. Giteau kicked a penalty at the other end, but it hardly mattered when Isaia Toeava ghosted through the midfield in the 56th minute to take the hosts lead to 29-19.

The Brumbies’ relaxed defensive strategy was backfiring, and a beautifully-weighted crosskick by Brett found Rokocoko in space. At 36-22, the contest was seemingly over.

The Blues continued to battle with their structures and allowed replacement hooker Huia Edmonds to bash his way though in the 59th minute. Giteau missed the conversion, his first failure of the night, but the Aussies never lost hope of a comeback.

For the first time in the game, the Blues played for territory, Brett and Daniel Kirkpatrick punting for the corners. The Brumbies were forced to conjure a try-scoring opportunity from deep in their own half, and under pressure from the rushing defenders, battled to make inroads.

It took a run up the middle by Patrick Phibbs to keep dreams of an upset alive, but they’d left their fightback too late. The Blues began to control the possession and remain in Brumbies territory, and when the visitors defence looked impenetrable, Brett slotted a drop goal to give the Blues some breathing room.

By Jon Cardinelli


73 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

  • 1.grant10: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 07:29 am

    go blues

  • 2.Wikus van der Merwe: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 07:42 am

    Bad weekend this for all the Blue teams……

    Stormers to top the log come Monday…..

    Go Stormerrrrrrrrrrrsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

  • 3.WP_: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 07:48 am

    I picked the Brumbies on Superbru!

    Come on convicts!

    Sorry Poppa ;)

  • 4.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 07:57 am

    @WP_: no dramas..

    Big Kevvies 100th game SHOULD be the motivation, 5 ABs in the pack (well four ABs and one Pseudo AB *Afoa*), so no excuses…

    went with the heart on this one…

  • 5.WP_: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:06 am

    @poppa69: Ya I’ll be happy for the Blues if they can win this one, I just coulnt bet agianst the Brumbies, loaded with Wallabies and all that…

    Will be very tough to knock over…

  • 6.reenmier: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:11 am

    #2 Verry funny!!

  • 7.Luke_Twatson: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:15 am

    2 NZ wins in 2 weeks … the sheep shaggers are desperate for a win!!

  • 8.iori Yagami: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:15 am

    Brumbies to take it. Blues have been a bit inconsistent this season.

  • 9.Luke_Twatson: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:16 am

    2/1 Brumbies to win under 13 points

  • 10.reenmier: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:17 am

    Blues had a rest, they might just be better than 2 weeks back!

  • 11.Sonito: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:40 am

    Come on the Blues. Teach theses Aussies a lesson.

  • 12.WP_: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:43 am

    Brumbies dominating so far…

  • 13.reenmier: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:55 am

    Cmon Blues!!!!

  • 14.nikoli: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 08:58 am

    go blues

  • 15.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:06 am

    anyone got a link for this match ?

  • 16.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:10 am

    @Black Panther: Someone posted a radio link some weeks ago. Does anyone have that radio site from NZ?

  • 17.reenmier: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:10 am

    I also need it!

  • 18.nikoli: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:15 am

    close match – what’s happening?

  • 19.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:15 am

    @Black Panther:

    http: //www(dot)justin.tv/projectvanillascented#r=VwfVgvo~

    moderated for posting a link, yet you can let the insults fly on this blog… nice priorities there Keo..

  • 20.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:32 am

    Good try BLUES!

  • 21.reenmier: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:34 am

    Blues can do it!!!

  • 22.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:34 am

    Another try BLUES!!!!

    MY BOYS BLUES!

  • 23.Brigadier Van Zyl: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:36 am

    lol….I guess cardenelli and vrede are starting this weekend 0/1.

  • 24.SamM: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:38 am

    C’mon Blues make it work for my Superbru

  • 25.Sonito: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:38 am

    Now thats what I am talking about! Come on Blues.

  • 26.WP_: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:38 am

    @WP Till I Die: who scored?

  • 27.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:40 am

    @WP_:

    Benson Stanley, in the corner.

    Tries for the Blues: Rockokoko, Ranger, Stanley

    For the Brumbies: Maafu

  • 28.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:40 am

    BRILLIANT TRY!!!!!

    AMAZING!

    BLUES GET THE BONUS POINT!

  • 29.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 09:41 am

    Stephen Brett, with pinpoint precision, launches the crosskick straight into the hands of Big Joe Rockokoko, who goes over for his second try…

  • 30.nama1: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 12:18 pm

    I had the Blues by 4.

    Not bad for a first try on superbru.

    The Blues were awesome in that period right after half time.

  • 31.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 12:32 pm

    I guess some teams just can’t cut it and aren’t meant to be anywhere near the top 4.

  • 32.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 12:48 pm

    @Kobus Kitty:

    well look whos back

    its Keos own self-deifying Orakkkle

  • 33.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 12:49 pm

    Great game to watch. Especially the second half.

    Bad luck Brumbies. Great fight back and “never say die” attitude.

    Well done Blues.

  • 34.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 12:51 pm

    @Black Panther:

    I never left.

  • 35.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 12:56 pm

    @cane:

    Yeah, great game. Lots of passion n’claret the reward for fans in the 1stH and stunning skills to turn it around in the 3rd Q. Blues still dont look the biznoss to me and have no real threat at setpiece meaning results will be inconsistent, but no opposition team will want to face them come knockout time, Bulls incl. No better than NZs 3rd-best team tho and possibly less so.

    Brumbies not out of it. Like the Blues their best hope is scrambling enough BPS to challenge for 4th. These are tough away fixtures, and neither the Bulls nor Stormers have that pedestal from which to talk yet this season.

    Early days still. Loved that game tho, and so did my mates going by the calls Ive received as they made their way to the Corner Bar….

  • 36.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:01 pm

    @Kobus Kitty: Post 31.

    “I guess some teams just can’t cut it and aren’t meant to be anywhere near the top 4.”

    What’s this Kitty Litter!

    These two Teams have won more Super Rugby titles the your entire Country.

  • 37.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:05 pm

    @Black Panther:

    Hey Black Panther…?

    Just want to hand you the ol’ olive branch… and apologise for past run ins…

    no agendas…

    and not saying we’ll always agree on stuff…

    just because….

  • 38.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:09 pm

    @Black Panther:

    At the start of the Comp, I listed my top 4 as, (in no particular order):

    -Bully Boys.
    -Crusaders.
    -Brumbies.
    -Sharks.

    I still think I’ll get 75%.
    8)

    P.S. I’d like to see Renee Ranger get a run for the AB’s. And Toeava is maturing year by year. Joe is getting his mojo back.

  • 39.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:13 pm

    @cane: doubt it, based on previous matches Brumbies aren’t much cop really

  • 40.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:23 pm

    @ufo:

    on ya

    your name, to me, doesnt ring any alarm bells however, unlike….

    I cant promise to not p*ss you off in future tho. We cant all be as gentlemanly as Puma always seems to be. Man that guy is 1 tolerant dude, I think my wife would like me to be more like him !

    I prefer bloggers like G10 and Skoppie tho. I dont always agree with em (G10) and I dont often understand what the fark theyre going on about (Skop) but atleast they make me think outside the square and its – mostly always – about footy. Thats my only criteria right here right now.

    haere mai, haere mai, haere mai. Tena koutou kato, hoa.

  • 41.Kobus Kitty: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:24 pm

    @cane:

    Wow, you thought the Sharks were going to make the top 4?

  • 42.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:27 pm

    @Black Panther:

    cool… :cool:

    not important what’s past… just important to me to do this…

    obviously have no idea what you said in that last sentence… :wink:

    cheers

  • 43.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:30 pm

    @Big Hit:

    Brumbies are 4 from 6 Biggles.

    The lights are still on.

    I see the Jocks got themselves a moral victory over the Sassenachs last week.
    Outnumbered 64 to 1. Marty’s day of Judgement must be nigh.

  • 44.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:33 pm

    @Kobus Kitty:

    “Wow, you thought ….”.

    Those three words make me, at least one step up the ladder of evolution from the average Bonehead, now does it not?

    8)

  • 45.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:33 pm

    @ufo:

    it was a Maori welcome/invitation-of-friendship of sorts. Dont worry, I wouldnt force a ‘hongi’ on you tho.

    Rivalry is to be relished; it makes us feel alive, no ?

  • 46.cane: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:37 pm

    Should any Bonehead be offended by the above……………….sorry.

    Oops….I apologise….make that 2 steps.

  • 47.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:37 pm

    @Black Panther:

    I am offended to have been omitted from your list of preferred bloggers.

  • 48.ufo: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:40 pm

    @Black Panther:

    thought as much and welcome it…

    good thing about the hongi as I won’t have to call in my sangoma as back up… :shock:

    yeah… the rivalry is great… and long may it continue…!!

    now that’s out the way… I’m sure we’ll both piss each other off in future…

    but that’ll be great too!!

    a word of advice… batten down the hatches…

    The Stormers are coming…!!

    gotta go… another time…

  • 49.Atreides: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:40 pm

    @cane: Lol I do it all the time…p***es my wife off no end cos she’s afrikaans

  • 50.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    19 Mar 2010, 13:41 pm

    @Dawn:

    No offense taken, Peaches.

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Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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