Chiefs take advantage of Blues’ mistakes
AUCKLAND: The Blues have contrived to do the near impossible and lose games they should never have lost many times over the past decade or so and, at the start of a new one at a very warm and expectant Eden Park, they did so once again.
This one to the Chiefs was an extraordinary effort and, while Warren Gatland’s men were bolstered significantly by the secondhalf interventions of reserves Aaron Cruden, Anton LienertBrown, Brad Weber and Pita Gus Sowakula, the home side’s 195 halftime lead should have been defended far more stoutly than it was.
They appeared completely in control at the break. Rieko Ioane scored two typically blockbusting tries in his 50th game, the Blues’ scrum was on top, defensively they were excellent and the Chiefs, expected to be a competition frontrunner this season, were strangely absent.
And yet, the visiting side’s comeback was quick and brutal, a true turnaround amounting to 32 points, and it was helped immensely by the introduction of returning first fiveeighth Cruden, who coolly organised their attack and dropped a goal in the final moments.
Midfielder LienertBrown was also excellent.
The Blues’ lead was quickly wiped out after the break thanks to hooker Samisoni Taukeiaho’s second try and No 8 Sowakula’s score and, while prop Karl Tu’inukuafe put the Blues ahead again with a converted try as the game ticked into the fourth quarter, the traditional failings of hairbrained errors combined with wacky decision making again did for the Blues.
Aidan Ross’ try put the Chiefs level again and left wing Solomon Alaimalo’s with 12 minutes remaining, a score in the left corner checked closely for grounding and a potential forward pass, put the Chiefs in front again.
Cruden’s dropped goal extended the lead to seven points.
The first quarter was a good advertisement for a more traditional summer sport — and the cricket pitch was clearly visible under the halfway line — but once the Blues got most of their mistakes out of their system — they lost four lineouts in the first half alone — they called virtually all the attacking shots before halftime.
First Tony Lamborn was over, the impressive flanker showing pace over his 25m run to the line after TJ Faiane’s midfield break, and then Ioane cashed in on the Blues’ dominant scrum to crash over for two wellconstructed tries, the first thanks to a neat inside pass from Stephen Perofeta and the second an outside ball from halfback Jonathan Ruru.
There is no doubt the Chiefs were hamstrung by the departure after 20 minutes of tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, the All Black down three times due to a knee injury. His final act was to give up a penalty.
His replacement, Angus Ta’avao, was given a torrid time by Alex Hodgman and the resulting confidence that flooded through the home pack was almost palpable.
The arrival of Ofa Tuungafasi and Tu’inukuafe for the Blues in the second half would not have comforted the Chiefs but they showed a resolve and composure which got them home comfortably in the end.
Cruden’s penalty on fulltime to deny the Blues a losing bonus point was another blow on a night full of them for the home side.
Lamborn, wing Mark Telea and No 8 Hoskins Sotutu enjoyed bright moments for the Blues which may please coach Leon MacDonald but unfortunately for him and his team there were not enough, especially during what for them was a dark second half. — The New Zealand Herald