Blues make Good of Friday

The Blues have made the most of the Good Friday holiday and disposed of the Western Force 39-8 at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland this evening.

Having come so close in their last three matches of securing the breakthrough win, the Force approached this match looking to avenge the 43-5 pre-season drubbing over at Eden Park.

The Auckland based team entered the match firm favourites, disposing of the Bulls and Stormers over the last fortnight.

Western Force welcomed back lock John Welborn and winger Haig Sare. The pair replaced suspended leading try-scorer, Scott Staniforth, and, Rudi Vedelago.

Vedelago injured his ankle during the first half of last weekend’s match against the Highlanders, he has since been ruled out for the remainder of the current Super 14 series.

Both teams tested each other out in the opening 10-minute period. Force scrumhalf Matt Henjak and Blues winger Isa Nacewa played kick-to-kick in the fourth minute.

Force fullback Cameron Shepherd had the first chance to post a penalty goal, in the sixth minute, however he sent it wide of the sticks.

The Force were rattled, in the eighth minute, when star flyhalf James Hilgendorf left the field concussed after receiving an elbow from Blues centre Rua Tipoki whilst being tackled.

Blues flyhalf Luke McAlister put his team ahead after nine minutes with a penalty goal, two minutes later he broke away and successfully avoided the chasing tackle from Shepherd.

McAlister’s 18th minute restart, after Shepherd booted over a penalty goal, was perfectly timed and weighted for Joe Rokocoko to snatch from Gavin DeBartolo. The Blues winger then offloaded to inside centre Ben Atiga, who raced over in the corner.

It was McAlister who would end any realistic hope the Force had of winning this game in the 23rd minute. His chip kick landed perfectly for Tipoki to fall on untouched. The Blues were ahead 20-3 following the first successful conversion attempt.

The score remained like that to the main break despite the Blues going close to notching their fourth (bonus point) try in the shadows of half time through Tipoki. Only a desperate cover tackle from flanker Matt Hodgson prevented the ball from being grounded.

An errant pass, in the 46th minute, from replacement flyhalf Brock James to Scott Daruda fell into the waiting hands of a Blues player. The ball was then transferred over to the left-winger Doug Howlett, who was on for the injured Rokocoko.

Howlett, with support inside, offloaded to Tipoki, who was awarded his second try of the match by the video referee despite being tackled into touch by Brendan Cannon and grounding the ball short of the line.

Tipoki then crossed for his third try, in the 51st minute, with a brutal right foot sidestep. McAlister’s conversion put the Blues ahead 32-3.

The Blues pressured the Force defense in the last 30 minutes.

Nacewa was denied after the video referee examined his 56th minute try attempt. McAlister set up the speedy winger with another chip kick.

Shepherd crossed for a consolation 75th minute try when replacement scrumhalf Chris O’Young chipped over after the ruck contest, while Nacewa closed out the match with the Blues sixth try in the final minute.

Luke McAlister easily claimed man of the match honours for his pivotal play from flyhalf, certainly knocking on the door for All Black selection.

Next week, the Western Force hosts their last home match of the series when the all-conquering Crusaders come to Perth on Friday night, while the Blues kick-off their South Africa campaign with a Shark fest in Durban on Saturday night.

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