Lachie Munro guides Blues to semi-final of Super Rugby Championship
Lachie Munro helped the Blues into the semi-final of Super Rugby after the team beat the Waratahs in the first quarter-final of Super Rugby by 26-13. Munro scored 16 points for his team in Eden Park, Auckland on June 24.
The Waratahs, who have a losing record against the Blues, started off the game without several of their key players. They have been hit hard by various injuries in the ongoing Super Rugby season and they were missing Tatafu Polota-Nau, Al Baxter and Daniel
Halangahu along with four more players in a crucial game.
On the other hand, the Blues were enjoying full strength in the quarter-final match. Their coach, Pat Lam, made just one change to the side as Daniel Braid returned to the Blues team after a lengthy absence. He replaced Chris Smylie in the scrums.
The Waratahs took an early lead over the host Blues as Tom Carter scored the first try of the match for his side in the 17th minute of the match. Kurtley Beale missed the chance to add two more points for the Waratahs as his kick was directed
wide from the goal posts.
The Blues terminated the Waratahs lead with Munro’s try in the 23rd minute. Luke McAlister further enhanced the score for Blues with a follow up conversion kick in the next minute of play. The Blues earned two penalty kicks in the first part of
the game and Munro scored on each occasion for his team.
The Blues were leading on the scorecard with 13-8 at the interval and the ball possession was on their side most of the time.
The Waratahs started off the second part of the match with an aim to clinch their first play-offs victory for the Australia on overseas soil. However, they missed too many chances to bounce back in the match.
The Blues’ defence proved rock solid in the second-half and they were also able to add 13 more points to their total. Munro shined for the Blues with one successful penalty kick and a well directed conversion shot during the 56th and 64th
minutes of the match. Williams scored the second try of the Blues in the 63rd minute of the game. The Waratahs could score only single try in the second-half and allowed the Blues through to the semi-finals.
The winner of tomorrow’s quarter-final, to be played between Crusaders and Sharks, will determine the Blues opponent for the semi-final clash.
Tags: