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
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments