Frizell hat-trick sinks Blues
A stunning three-try performance from Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell has all but consigned the Blues to the Super Rugby wasteland for 2018.
Frizell’s star turn on the biggest of New Zealand’s rugby stages at Eden Park last night propelled his side to a 34-16 bonus-point victory that returns them to the thick end of the playoff race. With a 5-2 record, and 24 points, the southerners are right where they need to be.
The same cannot be said of Tana Umaga’s battered Blues whose abysmal record against their Kiwi rivals continues unabated. They have now gone 15 matches winless against their conference rivals and have won just one of their last 26 against fellow Kiwi sides.
With just two wins from eight matches, and 12 competition points, their season is all but over.
The Blues, with 19 out injured, had enough possession and territory to be all sorts of closer than they finished, but their execution levels too often let them down. The number of no-look passes to nowhere was extraordinary.
The Highlanders, though, are right on the pace. They were composed and clinical. They were patient and accurate. They absorbed pressure for long periods, and struck ruthlessly when chances presented.
Frizell came of age at this level with a stunning performance. He was everywhere.
Tevita Li – one of the many Aucklanders that got away from this Blues franchise – was very good as well. Rob Thompson continues to do everything right at centre as well, and those visiting forwards did just what was needed.
The Highlanders started and finished the first half expertly, but rather let the Blues back in through the middle stages where they dominated possession.
It had looked like a rout was on the cards when the visitors blasted out of the blocks with two tries, and a 12-0 lead, inside the first five minutes.
Then the Blues woke up, and took over the game. Halfback Jonathan Ruru scrambled over for their only try of the spell in the ninth minute, and two penalties to Bryn Gatland had the home side back within a point just past the first quarter mark.
But the visitors lifted their game to take a 20-11 lead into the sheds. Tei Walden nearly had the luckiest of tries when he pounced on a pass that cannoned off Thompson’s face, but the TMO ruled the unusual assist in front of the passer.
The impressive Frizell, though, was across for his second try just minutes from the break, via another Thompson break and slick hands that put the big loosie over in the left corner.
And when Lima Sopoaga added a further three points soon after the margin was out to nine, and the home heads were drooping a little.
It took the Highlanders just three minutes and change to extend their advantage to 27-11, with Kayne Hammington finishing a nice move featuring Li and Frizell at their best, and a dozen minutes later the contest was over when man-of-the-match Frizell had his hat-trick after replacement halfback Aaron Smith tapped quick and a Ben Smith inside ball did the rest.
Tumua Manu managed a late consolation try on debut for the Blues.