Blues blow Force away
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The Blues triumphed in the battle at the bottom of the Super Rugby ladder when they trounced the Western Force 41-24 in a high-scoring encounter in Auckland on Saturday.
The bonus-point win gave the Blues their second taste of victory from 11 games this year.
The Force, who also picked up a bonus point, remain firmly anchored in last place – as they suffered their 10th consecutive defeat.
The Blues led 17-0 at half-time and opened up a 31-0 lead early in the second half, before the Force were able to make an impression on the scoreboard.
But despite launching a concerted comeback they never looked like threatening the Aucklanders' lead.
Things did look grim for the struggling Blues early in the match when All Blacks Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau – both unable to continue.
However, their young brigade stepped up when needed.
With the ever-improving 19-year-old flank Akira Ioane leading the pack and bruising 21-year-old wing Melani Nanai tormenting the Force defence, the Blues determined the outcome in the first 50 minutes.
Nanai scored twice, his first two Super Rugby tries, while Ioane produced probably the try of the match with a 50 metre run in which he beat three defenders.
The Force had enough possession to be competitive but suffered from too much indecision with their lines of attack and relentless drives close to the line inevitably ended with turnover.
A Dan Bowden penalty in the second minute had the Blues on the board early and Melani Nanai and Steven Luatua followed with converted tries in the first half.
Luatua's try to end the half came after Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty was yellow carded for a careless charge in a decision where referee Ben O'Keeffe overruled television match official Ben Skeen who recommended a penalty only.
With Haylett-Petty still on the sideline, Nanai scored his second try immediately after the resumption and Ioane crossed for his long-range touchdown.
Pek Cowan drove over to produce the first try for the Force and captain Matt Hodgson followed soon after to reduce the gap to 31-12.
Blues replacement flyhalf Ihaia West landed a penalty and scored a converted try to extend the lead to 41-12 before Ryan Louwrens and Ben McCalman produced two further tries for the Force.
Man of the match: The Blues had a number of key performers. Wing Melani Nanai picked up two tries and was a clinical finisher. Steven Luatua came on for the injured Jerome Kaino early on and had an immediate impact. However, it was young Sevens All Black Akira Ioane who set the stage alight with his incredible running and work rate, racking up running metres you would usually attribute to a wing – not a flank.
Scorers:
For the Blues:
Tries: Nanai 2, Luatua, Ioane, West
Cons: Bowden 2, West 2, Visinia
Pens: West, Bowden
For the Force:
Tries: Cowan 2 , Hodgson, Louwrens
Cons: Burton, Ebersohn
Yellow Card: Dane Haylett-Petty (Force, 38 – dangerous tackle, taking the man out in the air)
Teams:
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau. 14 Lolagi Visinia, 13 Francis Saili, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Jerome Kaino (captain), 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Luke Braid, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Tevita Li.
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Kyle Godwin, 12 Luke Burton, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pekahou Cowan.
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Ross Haylett-Petty, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Justin Turner, 22 Marcel Brache, 23 Junior Rasolea.
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Paul Williams (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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