The Western Force gave it everything but didn’t have the polish to finish as the Blues held on for a 17-13 Super Rugby win on Saturday night at nib Stadium.
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The Blues needed to rebound from their second-worst defeat at the hands of the Lions last week in Johannesburg and they quickly opened up a 17-3 first-half lead after tries to Jerome Kaino and Tevita Li.
But it was a determined Force looking for consecutive wins, after beating the Sunwolves last week to snap a seven-game losing streak.
A try to captain Matt Hodgson helped them get within four points and they continued desperately for the go-ahead try in the final minutes, but couldn’t get through the Blues’ defence.
To top it off, Hodgson left the field late in the game with what appeared to be a shoulder injury.
The Force dominated the opening 10 minutes and the period leading into halftime but only had three points to show for it.
The Blues made them pay in between, turning on some terrific running rugby. A scintillating run by Billy Guyton set up a Kaino try after 26 minutes and, when Li ran half the field to score five minutes later, the Blues were on fire.
The Force steadied before the break but failed to score and then rain began pouring down in the second half with the home team adjusting the better.
After one try was disallowed for an obvious obstruction, Hodgson scored for the Force and, when that was converted, they trailed by just seven points.
With 15 minutes to go, the Force closed to within three with a powerful Ben Tapuai penalty goal. The home team dominated the remaining time as well with possession and territory, but couldn’t quite find a way to score again to take the lead.
In the last round before the international break, the Force play the Rebels in Melbourne on Sunday week (May 29) and the Blues take on the Crusaders on Saturday (May 28) at home.
CUW
Guest
that was a rubbish game reffed ina rubbish manner, which leaves one wondering the standard of reffing in so called super rugger. Nutbrown may have been an ex player but , he was rubbish , for both sides i may say. this xperiment of fast tracking young refs in to higher level is leaving so many teams frustrated and confused. Houston was confusing , so was nutbrown and better not talk of strawberry !!!
CUW
Guest
@ Rugby Tragic : I have two names for u 1. Tusi Pisi 2. Adam Thompson both have only one year contracts in super both are old heads and have loads of experience both are in good form for their sides Pisi has an educated boot on him and can do most of 10 skills well think his kicking is at around 75% , which is good. can bring the necessary leadership to the backline Adam is also turned into a good 8 and can bring leadership to the forwards also in case of Adam , since he is retired he plays with more freedom. in 2011 he was overeager :)
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
If Tana can recruit well and injured players settle, I think we have chance to play finals footie against next year. Tana is of course learning himself but if he can instill some real pride, the season would have to be a qualified success. I still content the need on field leadership who can read a game and adjust the game plan on the run. With that is is possible that we might have won another couple of games which would have put us in the mix for playoffs this year..
Brawlsinmauls
Guest
What a frustrating game to watch, we started the game but then went missing, credit to Blues they took their chances. But in those last 10 mins we had what like 4/5 lineouts and could only win 1? Just schoolboy errors of not holding onto the ball or a poor throw, perhaps the pressure got to them. Props to Blues defence, was really hoping they would run out of gas but it wasn't to be.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Morning RT. Diff for me this year is they're now picking up matches they should win. Last year they lost those as well as the ones they shouldn't. This game would have normally been lost in those last ten in previous years so that is 'something'. But in watching those matches last night when the Blues came on it felt like I needed to get prepared for a whole bunch of silly dropped passes and the odd occasional brilliance....oddly enough...
Brizvegas
Guest
The Rangitoto Yanks showed more starch this week but still play brainless at times. Some of their plays were outstanding but they need to learn to not try for the low percentage plays so often. Hopefully Tana will next season have a nucleus of players to build the team around. But honestly imagine what it is like for their supporters each game unsure of which team will turn up to play. Goon on ya TMan
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Morning TM, well that's 6 but really a poor performance. Just no bite in their offensive game with Rene Ranger and Ioane's out. We have Crusaders at home next week, that will be tough, the the June sojourn for the Welsh series, then Canes (A) then Brumbies (H) and Waratahs (H). Can we pick up another one? I think they have a chance, at home against either or both the Brumbies and Waratahs but we shall see. 6 wins and a draw is probably a pass from where they have come from but very disappointed they way they have played in a few of the matches. Call me blindly optimistic if you like but I believe they will be in playoffs next year and if they can reach that milestone, anything can happen. Tana needs to be looking for second rowers stocks (to replace Bekhuis) though if Michael Fatialofa comes home, it will help. Blues NEED a decent No 10 who consistently can run the show. Iahia West surely has had his opportunity but we need to poach a decent playmaker from somewhere. Rene Ranger, Blake Gibson, Pat Lam, the Ioane's will be back next year so that should add some starch to the team. 2017 to me is still looking OK ... when the team has a review of their season in July, they will identify what they need to do next year.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hi ebop, possibly a much younger Slade might have saved a lot of earlier pain through the rudderless years of having no 10 but with the combined luck between the two he probably would have ended his career through injury there and left us all feeling guilty! Good point though. Why didn't they reach out to those sort of players when they had DC, Slade and Tom Taylor all in the same squad! Crazy.
ebop
Guest
Good point about the early points Tman. Shock and awe stuff. Happened with the Chiefs and Crusaders as well. Yeah the Blues, by crikey they can be tough to watch. At least they're playing with more ticker (last week aside). With any luck for you guys, they'll finish the season with some confidence to build on next year rather than the usual angst or disinterest of recent years. Would a guy like Colin Slade fit in at the Blues? Wonder if he's enjoying the NH.
taylorman
Roar Guru
One thing NZ sides are doing lately is getting the points on the board early and emptying their bench to absorb the pressure at the other end of the match. Efficiency comes to mind in the manner of their scoring, making the opposition get desperate early into the match. Blues at last with six wins and a draw in the NZ conference is ridiculous. They'd be second, or third in any other conference. On one hand I've no idea how they've managed six wins as they're playing worse rugby than just about every other side most of the time, last night some real horrors in terms of handling and basic errors. Typically brilliant runs are still the norm so a real box of chocolates for them this year again in terms of performance. Blues fans have have got to be made of tough stuff these days.