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Blues secure Trans-Tasman final place despite not scoring in second half versus Force
The Blues have secured their place in the inaugural Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final with a 31-21 victory over the Western Force in Auckland, but the win wasn’t as pretty as it could have been ahead of next week’s title decider against the Highlanders back at Eden Park.
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The Blues were unable to score a second-half try after taking a 28-0 lead into the break. Despite enduring a winless campaign, the Force were Australia’s most consistent outfit and displayed their resilience once again on Saturday night.
Tries from Feleti Kait’ui and Tevita Kuridrani slashed the Blues’ half-time advantage before Force replacement Rob Kearney’s 77th-minute cross created some anxious final moments for the home side.
“It was a hard-fought game and when you have got a home final you have got to look forward to that,” said Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu. “We were happy with the first half. It’s fair to say we didn’t turn up for the second half.
“We knew the Western Force were a team that fights to the end and it’s quite disappointing for us to finish like that, but we can’t dwell on it too much. We have got to look forward to next week and be grateful that we have another week together.”
Super Rugby Trans Tasman | Blues v Force – Rd 5 Highlights
The @BluesRugbyTeam will host the @Highlanders in next week’s Super Rugby Trans Tasman final, after seeing off the @westernforce in Auckland on Saturday.#SuperRugbyTT #BLUvFOR pic.twitter.com/LzBxBybYZJ
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 12, 2021
Tuipulotu said another half-hearted effort wouldn’t be good enough to win the title. “Forty minutes is never good enough,” he said. “We are always struggling for a perfect day, 80-plus (minutes) and against the Highlanders. We know they are a dangerous team. They go 80-plus as well. Look, it was a hard-fought game and we get a home final – we have got to be happy with that.”
Force captain Ian Prior was proud but disappointed. “I’m really proud of the fightback,” Prior said. “They’ve been pretty special, this group this year. We have earned a bit of respect across the ditch. We went pretty close against the Chiefs, against the Crusaders and the Highlanders, but you can’t give away 28 points in the first half and expect to get the win. Really proud of the fightback but we have got a lot of areas to work on.”
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The Crusaders may not have gotten the 33-point buffer they were looking for, but there were still some exceptional performances on Saturday evening. #SuperRugbyTT #REBvCRUhttps://t.co/J1EIRnvzqQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 12, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments