The Lions have handed a rugby lesson to the Blues, trouncing them after going up 19-0 inside 11 minutes. That set the tone for the match and the Blues were never in it.
REPORT: LISTLESS BLUES CRASH TO BIG LOSS
Given the quality of the Blues side, questions have to be asked about how they performed so poorly. Were the Lions that good or the Blues that bad?
Good game of rugby with some excellent plays from the Lions. You can see why they’re one of the best teams in South Africa at the moment and could potentially, if they show up, cause some problems for the opposition should they make the finals.
Final score
Lions 43
Blues 5
Even if it’s at 3:15am (AEST), you’ll have to get up and watch what will be a cracking game between two quality sides – the Blues and Lions. Join The Roar for a running commentary and scores.
The Blues may be last in the New Zealand conference, but if they were in any other group they would likely book themselves a finals spot. They have shown great running rugby this season under coach Tana Umaga and will no doubt look to do the same at the conclusion of their South African tour.
The All-Blacks legend has made two changes to his side. Lock Hoani Matenga replaces the injured stalwart Josh Bekhuis, while New Zealand international Charlie Faumuina reinforces the front-row ahead of what will be a tough match-up.
Off the back of a smashing by the terrifying Hurricanes, the hosts have made four changes. Malcolm Marx and Julian Redelinghuys return at hooker and tighthead prop, accompanying the return of both Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Ross Cronje in the backline.
As an additional comfort, flyhalf Elton Jantjies will be fit to play.
“He did his fitness test before training with the biokineticist and passed that. The other condition was to pass all the training, go through all the contact and he passed that as well,” coach Johan Ackermann stated.
“Now as a team we must just perform on the weekend.”
Prediction
Definitely a match that can go either way, there won’t be much in it. Hard to pick a winner…..but if I have too.
Lions by 1.
RedandBlack
Guest
I cannot help but feel that at the core of the Blues problems is their policy of selecting from their own catchment. The Highlanders tried this and it brought them 10 years of misery. I know Auckland has heaps of talent - but NZ has more and better. You need to be competing for the top talent in the country - not the best in Auckland - and they lose some of that cream to more realistic franchises anyway. I am sure Tana will make changes next year but I wonder how much his decisions will be affected by a board that does not seem to get it.
richard
Guest
You're listening to the same show as me.Listen to "controversy corner" with Watto and Kieran Smythe after 8pm - now that is entertainment.
ClarkeG
Guest
Oh yeah at times no doubt he is the devils advocate as is Rattue who has as much as admitted it. But in regards NZR I don't think so. I'm listening to him right now and the Blues are coping it and rightly so.
ken
Guest
Has Whitely got any aussie Heritage.. Whitlely is an English name....We`d take him...
ken
Guest
I thought new zealand teams were a class above everyone else..Sheesh
richard
Guest
Have you ever considered Watson is playing devil's advocate to generate controversy.He is a talk show host after all.
ClarkeG
Guest
No my point is Rattue and Watson are mates in that Watson consistently talks him up and occasionally has him as a quest on his radio shows and they both talk of the "Kremlin". But your point on Gray being a mouthpiece for NZR. I don't agree with that. That's not the Wynne Gray I know of.
richard
Guest
No,I form my own opinion.Besides,Watto is a fan of this evil Government.I am not.If you are referring to ratpoo,I like someone who rocks the boat - better that than listening to Wynn Gray or Gregor Paul,two NZRU mouthpieces.
ClarkeG
Guest
Yeah the Lions are a much better team than when they won that game against the Blues last year. That article you speak of was more or less on the money. Both teams were awful that night.
ClarkeG
Guest
you've been listening to Watto.
AKL Sue
Guest
My husband has a lot of trouble being a Tahs supporter but even the commentators struggled with this game. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Auckland where are your players?
Charl
Guest
No worries, mates, it was a bit of a tongue in cheeck question after last year's appaling article following the Lions' win. This year's article seems mild enough ? Just glad the Lions are now playing with much more confidence and showing real potential. Johan Ackerman is a great coach.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks OB ...
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
I think the guys at the warriors have been supplying them drugs.
richard
Guest
More and more right wing,pro-Key tabloid rag.Still,it has Chris Ratpoo,who doesn't tow the Kremlin's ( NZRU) party line,and that is a good thing.
ClarkeG
Guest
Out of 53 goal kickers in this comp he is ranked 53rd. His value added score is minus 22 which means he has lost his team points due to poor kicking relative to other professional goal kickers and given the difficulty of his kicks. That’s not including this round so it will be worse now. http://goalkickers.co.za/
taylorman
Roar Guru
I dunno, 'pitiful' has something positive about it. I'd suggests one might pity them. I can probably think of better one letter words that might describe them, most of them unprintable.
puff
Guest
TM: The Blues were pitiful, if you consider using just one word. The Force has a reasonable chance of winning some precious self-satisfaction next week, as the Blue's don’t travel with confidence. I further believe Charlie, Kaino and Luatua to some degree all struggled to display leadership under exasperating conditions and Hansen may look further south. To be objective, he is spoiled for riches; it is combinations that pose the difficult question.
moaman
Roar Guru
ClarkeG Interesting; I notice he has a distinctive front (square) on approach and (seems to ) stab at the ball more than flowing through the stroke.A hip issue could account for that---I put it down to his own style but now that you mention it.... He often seems to miss away to the left---I would need to see stats but that is my perception.That could be down to a technical issue---I have often wondered whether he aims for the middle--when he could be lining it up inside the far upright and letting the natural right-to-left drift bring it centre.
JJ Maritz
Guest
The coach wasnt on the field falling off tackles, knocking on balls, jumping for the high ball just to have it fall 3 feet to his left, missing goals, missing lineout jumpers, looking like he doesnt know what to do with the ball. Whiteley summed it up perfectly after the game...the Blues are now where the Lions was 4 years ago, their fans needs to be patient...but in my humble opinion the players needs to show more commitment as well as confidence in the team mate next to them. The Blues have allways been a proud team...theyll get there again. Cheers from South Africa. LionsforLife!