Blues hold off late Chiefs fightback to secure win and stay in hunt for Super Rugby Aotearoa title
Another day, another tense Super Rugby Aotearoa derby that extends the Chiefs’ losing run as they fell to their northern rivals, the Blues, 21-17 at Eden Park in Auckland.
It was the Blues’ defence in the final minute of the match that effectively won them the contest that was doinated by both forward packs, with the front rows on either side of the scrum putting in an admirable display.
A stunningly deceptive set play move off the back of a scrum, though, saw newly-instated Blues fullback Matt Duffie scorch through the Chiefs’ defence to score the opening try inside the first 10 minutes.
The running angle made by the former NRL star played a key role in wrong-footing the opposition defensive line, but so did the silky distribution skills of Rieko Ioane, whose credentials as a midfielder continue to flourish.
The hosts doubled their lead another seven minutes later when a string of phases built too much pressure for the Chiefs’ defence to contain.
Ploughing their way deep into enemy territory up front, skipper Patrick Tuipulotu crashed over to reap the rewards from his forward pack’s dominant ball-carrying.
It only took about five minutes for the Chiefs to strike back, though, as a slew of penalties were called against the Blues to put the visitors in a handy spot inside the home side’s red zone.
A steady stream of carries allowed the Chiefs to capitalise just as the Blues did moments earlier, with in-form flanker Lachlan Boshier rumbling over close to the posts off a flick ball made by Pita Gus Sowakula.
The visitors were presented with an unlikely opportunity to level the scores when young first-five Kaleb Trask struggled to judge the flight of the wind when kicking for touch off another Blues penalty.
Electric wing Mark Telea was able to keep the ball in play by swatting it back in-field from the sideline, but with no support around him, his opposite Solomon Alaimalo scooped up the loose pill and cantered towards the Blues’ tryline.
A last-ditch defensive effort prevented him from dotting down initially, but a looping forward pass by Damian McKenzie killed any chance of capping off the exciting sequence of play.
McKenzie almost made amends just a minute or so later when he splintered the Blues’ defence with his rapid acceleration, but some strong work at the breakdown ensured the Chiefs were held out.
Down by a converted try at the break, Chiefs boss Warren Gatland decided to throw experienced playmaker Aaron Cruden into the mix in place of Trask.
Another day, another tense #SuperRugbyAotearoa derby that extends the Chiefs' losing run after they fell to the Blues 21-17 in Auckland.https://t.co/BOOOfgd6cV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 26, 2020
That tactical switch soon paid dividends, as the 31-year-old teamed up with Brad Weber to spurn something out of nothing in the opening 10 minutes.
Gliding through a pair of Blues defenders, Cruden set Lienert-Brown away down the left wing, and the No.13 in turn found Alaimalo, who injured himself while diving to score the levelling try in the left corner.
A penalty goal from out in front by McKenzie then handed the Chiefs a three-point lead just a few minutes later, with Cruden’s impact beginning to take its toll on the clash.
The Blues, however, refused to lie down, as a rampaging Ofa Tu’ungafasi laid the foundations for a Finlay Christie try via a barnstorming run around the fringes of a breakdown.
Tuipulotu threatened to double down on Tu’ungafasi’s efforts, but some hefty tackling by Lienert-Brown on his own tryline spared the Chiefs some blushes and kept them in the fight.
What a fight it was in the final quarter, too, with just four points separating the two sides and neither team giving an inch.
For every break the Blues made or every phase of pressure they built, the Chiefs found an answer defensively.
Whether it was a last-gasp tackle or a penalty turnover stemming from the breakdown, Gatland’s troops managed to nullify the attacking threat posed by the Blues.
Their off-the-ball tenacity was eventually rewarded when they were given a lineout throw on the opposition’s 22 metre mark.
A penalty advantage gave the Chiefs free license to wreak havoc on attack, and that they did through Cruden’s ball-running and offloading ability, which tore the Blues apart.
That created a ton of space for Wainui in the outside channel, but a Caleb Clarke tackle stopped the Chiefs flyer in his tracks.
The visitors were given another penalty, though, and that’s when the Blues were forced to front up on their own tryline with the clock ticking into the final few minutes.
The pressures that came with that were evident, and replacement playmaker Harry Plummer was sent to the sin bin for cynical play with just two minutes to play.
That one-man disadvantage, however, didn’t deter Leon MacDonald’s team, and although the Chiefs tried to smash their way over the goal line, Josh Goodhue snagged a breakdown turnover to effectively secure a tightly-contested win for his side.
It was a controversial call given it looked like there was no clear release made by Goodhue, nor did it look like he was supporting his own body weight.
Nevertheless, that steal pushes the Blues back into second place on 17 points, just one point ahead of the third-placed Hurricanes and two behind the Crusaders.
As for the Chiefs, they remain rooted to bottom place on the competition standings after setting a franchise record seven straight defeats.
Blues 21 (Tries to Matt Duffie, Patrick Tuipulotu, Finlay Christie; 3 conversions to Beauden Barrett; yellow card to Harry Plummer)
Chiefs 17 (Tries to Lachlan Boshier, Solomon Alaimalo; 2 conversions and penalty to Damian McKenzie)
Comments on RugbyPass
The Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
2 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
2 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
15 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
18 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
18 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments1. True, if that “free” ticket means access to all but the prized exhibit - EVIP only. SA cannot host semis, even if they’ve earned it (see Sharks vs ASM Clermont Auvergne at… Twickenham Stoop). 2. Why no selective outrage over Lyon doing the exact same thing a week earlier? Out of all the countries France send the most “B teams”, why nobody talking about “disrespect” and “prioritising domestic leagues” and “kicking them out”? 3. Why no mention of the Sharks fielding all of their Springboks for the second rate Challenge cup QF? No commitment? 4. Why no mention of all the SA teams qualifying for respective euro knock out comps in the two seasons they’ve been in it? How many euro teams have qualified for KO’s in their history? Can’t compete? 5. Why no mention of SA teams beating French and English giants La Rochelle and Saracens? How many euro teams have done that in their history? Add no quality? The fact is that SA teams are only in their second season in europe, with no status and a fraction of the resources. Since joining the URC, SA has seen a repatriation of a number of players, and this will only grow once SA start sharing in the profits of competing in these comps, meaning bigger squads with greater depth and quality, meaning they don’t have to prioritise comps as they have to now - they don’t have imports from Pacifica and South America and everywhere else in between like “European” teams have - also less “Saffas” in Prem and T14, that’s what we want right? 'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in' True, and we have to ensure we give them the same status and resources as we give everyone else to do just that. A small compromise on scheduling will go a long way in avoiding these situations, but guess what, France and England wont compromise on scheduling because they ironically… prioritise their domestic comps, go figure!
18 Go to commentsthe success of the premiership can be summarized by : only 10 teams. It makes a huge difference with the overcrowded top 14 (let us not talk about Leinster and URC…)
1 Go to commentsGood for him. The ABs were fooling around again with converted fullbacks that had a penetration of a marshmallow. Laumape or as Aki has shown for Ireland, go forward is important in the centres. If it had been DMac - Aki- Aumua - Ioane- Telea- Jordan in France the final result would have been different.
4 Go to commentsDan Carter a apporté son professionnalisme, des méthodes de travail, un esprit qui manquaient à l’USAP. Son influence, même une fois blessé a été énorme. Et pour citer une anecdote, certains soirs il venait de lui-même à l’entraînement des jeunes pour dispenser ses conseils. On ne peut pas compter ce qu’il a apporté au club en heures de jeu sur le terrain. Est-ce que le club en a eu pour son argent ? Avec la publicité sur son nom et le titre, je suppose que oui.
1 Go to commentsThe SA sides are suffering from a bum rap here. There isn’t a side anywhere in the world that would do things differently in their shoes. They’ve been set up to fail in the EPCR comps by vested interests, with last minute intercontinental travel requirements that costs an arm and a leg to book in advance just on the possibility they might be required. And the total nonsense that denies any chance of home venues is entirely biased and absolutely unsporting. Either EPCR, the Top14 & the Gallagher Premiership get it sorted on a fair and equitable sporting basis for ALL participants or expect the ridicule to continue. Right now, these comps are a joke!
18 Go to commentsSA sides should do the right thing and leave the champions cup, they are lowering the standard with completely one sided games, not up to the right level. The greatest club tournament in the world is being banjaxed by the weak SA sides.
18 Go to commentsCouldnt agree more. SA sides need to show more committment and really have a go at the Champions Cup. Its quite possibly the most prestigious title in Europe and SA sides need to respect that prestige and serve up their best. EPCR needs to do more to ensure that sides from South Africa and sides travelling to and from SA have a better chance in this competition. The Bulls were put in a really difficult position of having to travel there and back in one week. One could argue that this is what the SA sides signed up for and that La Rochelle didnt complain or send out weakened sides despite having to travel to SA and back and play on successive weekends but surely the situation is also unfair on La Rochelle as well and so EPCR needs to think about successive gameweeks and the travel effect of the competition
18 Go to commentsI hadn’t watched much Canes this season but sat through a replay of that Chiefs game with no distractions. That pack is beastly. I really like the look of Iose. He loves the tough stuff. The first Quins clip may be the best I have even seen for a TH driving his opposite into oblivion. i need to take your word for the contribution of Walker, but Collier there with a straight back pushing up from under was a lovely thing to see. Have you fallen in love with Baxter also, Nick? I think Stuart Barnes may have written his column about him recently, naked. He positively frothed.
15 Go to commentsSmart guy. I wish he was running the RFU or something!
3 Go to commentsWhy Barrett, when Leinster already have at least 4 top centres.?
15 Go to comments