Blues draw with Chiefs as Luke McAlister suffers injury
The Chiefs and Blues concluded and interesting and tough match on 12-12 draw, but the tragic part of the match was the injury of Luke McAlister in a pre-season fixture at Bayer Growers Stadium in Pukekhoe.
The experienced All Black started in the first 15 at number eight, dropped down after suffering a head and neck injury. The damage occurred in the first stage of the game. Intensity and the extent of injury aren’t clear up till now, though McAlister was
showing severe signs of pain.
Pat Lam the Blues coach had a blow even though his side was saved by a draw. He reported that no statements or reports will be given regarding McAlister until the All Black is put through all the tests.
The match was a drag in the first half and went with no score at all. All the scoring took place in second half and match picked up pace in the last stages. Second half was welcomed by two consecutive tries.
Home team was playing at ease comparatively throughout the game. Chiefs were playing at their full strength in the presence of skipper Mils Muliaina. Tana Umaga the old head felt like home during all the action while playing, even though 37 years of age.
The Chiefs moved around with the ball and looked strong, something that kept the fans at home vigilant and on their toes. Despite the fact that scoring wasn’t noticeable but the match kept on becoming interesting as the Chiefs had decided to attack again
and again and pass the ball everywhere possible.
Fritz Lee the former Sevens player and Manukau number eight was debatably the best in attack. After the excellent break from Tim Nanai Williams it was Stephen Donald who scored the initial points. Scott Waldrom followed Williams to score another try giving
Chiefs a 12-0 lead.
McAlister’s injury was a major setback for the visitors and it took time for the Blues to get in movement. Team’s backline was then controlled by Benson Stanley. Stanley stood up to the task and showed some mature signs for a young player. It was a good
sign for Pat Lam as he wasn’t expecting the young players to stand ground.
Joe Rokocoko was the first one from the Blues to break the ice and scored a try with the courtesy of Benson Stanley. Matt Luamanu pierced through the Chiefs to score another try for Blues in the last ten minutes.
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