The Auckland Blues scored an emotional 10-15 win over the Otago Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday to move to the top of the New Zealand Super Rugby conference.
Inspired by long-serving lock Kurtis Haiu, who was diagnosed with bone cancer during the week, the Blues racked up their fifth straight win over Otago, the surprise package of this year’s Super Rugby tournament.
“Kurtis that was for you mate, the boys dug really deep,” Auckland captain Keven Mealamu said.
The Highlanders held Auckland tryless but failed to show the form which provided a surprise win over the Canterbury Crusaders last week, paying the price for poor discipline in a tightly-fought first half.
Conceding nine penalties in the first 40 minutes, the Highlanders gifted the Blues 63 per cent of possession, relying on dogged defence as their attack faltered.
Blues fly-half Luke McAlister capitalised on the errors, converting three penalty goals to give Auckland a 9-0 lead at halftime.
With lock Jarrad Hoeata sin-binned just before halftime, the Highlanders appeared set for a torrid 10 minutes after the break.
However, midfield back Matt Saunders upped the tempo after the restart, with a line break that set the scene for Robbie Robinson to give the Highlanders the only try of the match.
The setback failed to rattle the Blues, who maintained the pressure even as the Highlanders closed the deficit to 12-10, sealing the win with a penalty in the 65th minute.
Any hopes of a Highlanders comeback were snuffed out when Aaron Smith was sinbinned for a spear tackle on Luke McAlister four minutes from time.
Highlanders skipper Jamie Mackintosh said his side’s mistakes proved costly.
“We just got the ball and turned it over, we tried to put pressure on rucks but we were a little bit ill disciplined, we need to be a bit tighter,” he said.
“We let too many away today.”
zhenry
Guest
Yes right I was aware that Lima Sopoaga was picked for U20s but not so soon. Ready to play apparently. Joseph is trying to get him back for Highlanders; its an emergency, if he cant get him back Joseph is saying that his backs coach will have to play no.10. Should have stated 'unavailable'. You hardly ever get corporate reporters fronting up to inaccuracies.
the woodster
Guest
Yea blues, jaffas for life!
Sammo
Guest
Almost right ZHenry, Lima Sopoaga isnt injured he has been training with the NZU20s. Yeah it was a shocking ref display in the highest order. To a point where the only people in NZ that think it wasnt is Aucklanders, even Pat Lam the Blues coach made a comment after the game saying he thought Pollock reffed the game well, when really he should of kept his mouth shut. And Jamie Joseph the Highlanders Coach who is a straight shooter and never one to blame the ref openly made his feelings felt about the terrible adjudicating. It was almost surreal how much he was favouring the Blues allowing them to get away with head high tackles and multiple cynical fouls when he was punishing the Highlanders for penalties that most could not understand. I hope he gets pulled up for this because a ref should never have an effect on the outcome of a game like this where the team that played better on the night lost.
zhenry
Guest
Poor report of the game and typical of Australian reporting of NZ games. It seems more often a sketch report to give Roarers a chance to comment. However Australian game reports are more complete and accurate. Same as SMH article. No mention of Browns injury so that Highlanders now have three no 10s injured. Despite that the Highlanders played the best rugby and should have won in my opinion. The ref was appalling and was deservedly booed off the ground, very unusual for a NZ crowd. Jarrad Hoeata's sin-binning was an appalling call. The referees in rugby union are having a decisive effect on the outcome of games. This does not bear well for the WC.
Muzza
Guest
I for one couldn't help but think that ref was born in Auckland. Good effort Otago and next time may be a different result. Ali Willams is not anywhere near is old self and I sure hope Tony Brown gets back soon.