Blues win first quarter-final of 2011 Super Rugby Championship
Auckland based New Zealand Super Rugby franchise Blues proved to be too good for the injury struck Waratahs as they comprehensively outplayed their opponents 26 – 13 to confirm their outing against the Super Rugby combined table leaders Reds on Saturday,
July 2 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
Blues hosted the Waratahs at Eden Park, Auckland and started the match as favourites to win the game. Waratahs were playing in absence of 12 of their first choice players and were forced to include the local club players in their lineup for their all-important
match against the Blues on Friday, June 24.
Surprisingly, the Waratahs took early control of the game, as they were able to retain the ball possession. Slowly they started to gain territory and control the rhythm of the game to push the Blues back towards their 25-meter line.
Waratahs were first to score in the knockout game courtesy of their centre Tom Carter’s 17th minute try in which he dragged the Blues hooker Keven Mealamu over the line to put the visitors in the lead. Waratahs fly half Kurtley Beale took the
conversion and failed to capitalise on the opportunity.
Blues retained ball possession and pushed to gain territory before sending their winger Lachie Munro to score the Blues first try in the game in the 23rd minute. Blues centre Luke McAllister followed with his conversion to put the hosts in the
lead.
Beale scored his first points of the game during the 31st minute of the match with his only successful penalty kick of the entire fixture. For the Blues, Munro scored on two consecutive penalty goals during the 31st and 36th
minute to take the scorecard to 13 – 8 in favour of Blues.
Blues started the second-half strongly and dominated both ball and territory possessions. Waratahs were unable to play the offensive game as they were forced to play the match in their own half. Waratahs strategy may have cost them the game in the end.
Blues extended their lead to eight points courtesy of Munro’s 55th minute penalty. In the 62nd minute, Blues lock Ali Williams took a pass from the Blues fullback Jared Payne to score their second try. Munro followed with his conversion
to extend the Blues lead to 15 points.
Waratahs makeshift fullback Lachie Turner scored their second try in the 73rd minute of the match but Beale took the conversion and missed it. This was Beale’s second missed conversion of game and left the visitors trailing by 10 points.
Blues were quick to retain possession and McAlister successfully kicked a penalty in the 78th minute of the game to take the score to 26 – 13. The scorecard remained the same until the end of the game.
Blues’ Lachie Munro scored 16 points in the game, which included three penalties, a try and conversion each.
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