Blues edge Sharks in Auckland arm-wrestle
It was an entertaining match, but unfortunately also error-strewn. The Blues were probably the biggest culprits.
The Sharks, after the long-haul flight over the Indian Ocean, seemed to tire in the final quarter of the match – when the contest was decided.
The result ended a 10-game losing streak for the Blues against the Sharks dating back to April 2006.
The New Zealanders, fired up after the death of former Blues lock Kurtis Haiu, bounced back from a 10-11 half-time deficit.
Hooker James Parsons said they were playing for Haiu, who played 53 times for the Blues and died at just 31 years old after a battle with bone cancer that forced his retirement from the game in 2011.
"He was a big part of our week, hopefully he looked down and approved," Parsons said.
It was a must-win for the Aucklanders, allowing them to stay in touch in the ultra-competitive New Zealand conference.
It was the third consecutive defeat for the Sharks, a major disappointment after a three-win start to the season.
Sharks captain Tendai Mtawarira scored the first try when he darted from the back of a maul and left the Blues' defence flat footed.
Blues centre George Moala hit back just before the break, but Paul Jordaan reasserted the Sharks' dominance just after the restart, outpacing the two Blues defenders.
Blues wing Reiko Ioane made a jinking run through the defence to make it 20-18 with a converted try and an Ihaia West penalty sealed the win.
Man of the match: Paul Jordaan had his moments, Joe Pietersen was steady and Cobus Reinach showed flashes of his true form. Fullback Willie le Roux probably had his best game of the season. The Du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, were very busy, but the Sharks- most productive player by some distance was Philip van der Walt. George Moala showed his finishing class, Steven Luatua and Jerome Kaino were physical, Akira Ioane won some crucial line-out steals in the second half, while Charlie Faumuina got through ton of work. Ihaia West blew hot and cold, but still had better than average day at the office. But the player that made the biggest impact was Blues wing Rieko Ioane, with a try that handed the Blues the lead at a crucial stage in the second half.
The scorers:
For the Blues:
Tries: Moala, R Ioane
Cons: West 2
Pens: West 3
For the Sharks:
Tries: Mtawarira, Jordaan
Con: Pietersen
Pens: Pietersen 2
Teams:
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Namatahi Waa, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Kara Pryor, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 George Moala.
Sharks: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Daniel du Preez, 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Tendai Mtawarira (captain).
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Garth April, 23 Odwa Ndungane.
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, Paul Williams
TMO: Ben Skeen
