Eden Park’s curse has struck again. The Blues’ stranglehold over Australian opposition has continued at the All Blacks’ home of rugby, as Leon MacDonald’s second-string side was too good for the Western Force, winning 30-17, to ensure they haven’t been beaten on home soil since 2018.
The Blues were never quite put under enough pressure to feel vulnerable, as Simon Cron’s men failed to take their chances in the first-half.
Force captain Michael Wells, who was replaced at half-time, lamented his side’s attacking breakdown issues.
“Whilst there were positives, obviously, out of losses you’re probably going to focus on the negatives a lot more than that and, for us, it was the attacking breakdown – we got a bit bullied there,” he said.
“With all due respect, they rested a few guys, so if we want to compete we’re going to have to execute better and we weren’t up to scratch today.”
Mark Telea scored during the Blues’ convincing win over the Western Force at Eden Park on March 26, 2023. Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images
The Force started sprightly enough and got themselves into promising positions, but the home side’s pressure in the contact zone and at the breakdown meant they regularly got the ball.
Only some brilliance from Argentine international Santiago Medrano kept the Force in the contest in the opening half-hour, as the big prop got his hands on the ball and won crucial lineouts to keep the home side at bay.
But eventually the gaps in the defence started to get bigger, as the Force fell off tackles and big All Blacks back-rower Hoskins Sotutu showed his size and physicality.
Stephen Perofeta got the scoreboard moving early, banging over an early penalty before tipping his hat to the Force’s defence by knocking over another three after 25 minutes.
But then the weight of pressure and possession told, as the Blues scores twice within three minutes to blow the score out to 18-0 after 33 minutes.
Toni Pulu was one of the Force’s best during their 30-17 loss to the Blues at Eden Park. Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images
A lovely grubber from fullback Chase Tiatia allowed Wells to run onto the ball and score. But Bayley Kuenzle’s failure to convert, which came after a missed penalty, meant the Force trailed 18-5 at half-time.
It looked like the Blues would run away with it further when Mark Telea scored out wide.
But Tolu Pulu’s strong finish managed to stem the bleeding.
The Force’s inability to find touch allowed the Blues to get back into enemy territory from the kick restart and replacement hooker Ricky Riccitelli scored in the 61st minute.
Some resilient defence and more strong running from Sam Spink, the former Wasps centre, helped the Force stay in the fight before a lovely finish from Zach Kibirige put some respectability on the scoreboard and denied the home side a crucial bonus point.
“It’s a bit of a double-edge sword, we knew the Force were going to come and bring it and they’re a really persistent team that you can’t switch off. We saw that in the last 10 minutes, they’re full of running rugby and it’s hard to play with,” acting captain Harry Plummer said.
“We’re happy with the win but it is a bit frustrating, we let errors, that we talked about during the week, creep into our game and we’re going to get stung on different days.”
The 13-point win saw the Blues climb into the top four on the Super Rugby standings with 15 points.
By contrast, the Force, who have had gutsy wins over the Melbourne Rebels and Moana Pasifika, are in ninth on nine points.
Simon Cron (L) has important fortnight ahead of him, with the Force to take on the Hurricanes and Waratahs. Photo: Dave Rowland/Getty Images
Wells said it was crucial they come away with some points next weekend to finish their tour, where they will play the Hurricanes in Palmerston North, and said they drastically needed to address their breakdown struggles.
“It’s going to be our attacking breakdown and contact zone,” Wells said, having been asked where the Force to improve.
“The last couple of weekends we’ve been carried through and carried over and we really need to bar-up, particularly the forwards.
“It’s tough from my perspective only being on the field for half a game, so for us and for me personally, words are cheap right now and our actions need to speak a bit louder.”
piru
Roar Rookie
More that the Force couldn't hold or throw a pass in crucial spots. Blues gave them every chance
WEST
Roar Guru
They rest players during pool games too, for certain so called easy beat teams. Most teams rotate their squad.. But that can backfire, the ABs got it wrong s few times during the RWC.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It’s doable. For sure. SR win would be great but Bled changes the narrative completely
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Feel free too fck off home anytime Smithy.
adam smith
Roar Rookie
Good for you for not denying it, there’s hope for you yet… :laughing: FYI, I’m just ONE person, not a country…might wanna stay off the pipe.
WEST
Roar Guru
Usually the other way round, winning SR then the RC.. The elusive Bledisloe would be the cherry on top. Just beat the All Blacks twice man, all it takes.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
But it was the curse!
GusTee
Roar Pro
Interesting stats. And you are absolutely 100% on the money when you mention kicking the ball to NZ teams. I was hoping that Simon Cron would fix that element of the Force's game but unfortunately that has yet to happen. Why: :crying: :angry: :shocked: :sick:
GusTee
Roar Pro
Agreed. [Said sadly!]
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Possibly but your a sad little country..
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Actually Piggy did say it raised the IQ.....of both countires , you missed that part. But as you say it was a pisstake from a PM who might just have had a couple pf Ales. :laughing:
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
It’s a great point. And this is just one of hundreds of challenges they’d have to work out to make the draft system work. But to me it’s not even about a draft system, I find this iteration of provincial rugby as a whole competition to be underwhelming, and I believe it could be so much better. I’m probably not smart enough to decide exactly what the future “better” comp should look like, I just wanted to offer a vague solution rather than just to whinge and offer nothing haha
Coker
Roar Rookie
That's one problem. Another one is working out who'd be eligible for the so-called draft. Clubs are not going to bother investing lots in their academies if the players can then just be snapped up by others. So unless the objective is to have a lot less investment in player development, the draft would have to be for pre-academy players, i.e., 17-18yos. That really would be problematical.
Coker
Roar Rookie
So why then are you doing your best to prove him right?
adam smith
Roar Rookie
@ Wizz. Another shining example of a r@ci$t…you do realise that this type of cow@rdly comment shows you have an inferiority complex?!?! Adding, “just saying what everyone thinks” is just a child!sh attempt to be validated…you’re a sad, sorry little man (probably in more ways than one :laughing:).
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Goes back for me as a child when heard N.Z pm Piggy Muldoon when asked about all the kiwis leaving to live in Oz he said good it will raise the IQ.Piss take answer and I feel sometimes they would rather joke than address there own issues.Migrants are always welcome but don't tell us your smarter please don't take the piss.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
You and me both Crow and four margin bonus points. Happy days.
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Eden Park curse?? I thought it was simply because the Blues second string side was just too good.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Simon Cron has a well drilled side, but even a so called weakened Blues side were too good for them and better drilled. In the 81:26 of clock time, there were 53 live plays (1st half 25 and 2nd half 28) amounting to by my count approx 32min 31 sec, the rest was in between lineouts, setting scrums -16, line outs -25, penalties- 18, kick offs, conversions, tap kick. The Force kicked the ball to the Blues, and the Blues sometimes kicked it back, but many times they held onto the ball and applied pressure to the Force. 0:39 sec - Penalty Received (PR), 0:47, 0:50: 1:00(PR), 0:38 (PR), 1:01 (try), 1:02, 1:00 (try), 1:03 (try) and this was just the first half. The Force tried to fight back, but lost a line out, try to the Blues, possession held by the Force 1:49 knocked the ball on, scrum to Blues - penalty awarded to Blues. Blues held possession 0:45 - try. Another instance Blues scrum - penalty awarded to Blues. It was a lost cause, even though the Force played well at times. Almost every time the Force kicked the ball to the Blues, it was the Blues who applied pressure by hanging onto the ball. The lesson is don’t kick the ball to NZ teams, and this may even include from within your own 22. I know this is sacrilegious, but all you’re doing is giving them possession. The other point is that NZ teams are very good at the breakdown and ruck, it isn’t so much the jackle , but contesting the ball by stepping over or around (illegal), swooping in with their arms and generally being a nuisance. The trend I am seeing that wins games is long possession periods around the 1 minute mark, during through one gets awarded penalties and gets tries. That’s my opinion.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Yep young atheletes move to new places when it suits them , you going to tell a young fella from Fiji etc he has to move to the back of beyond like Perth or whereevr, or a young fella from say Brisbane he has to move to Dunedin, Suva etc? I suspect League will look fairly promising to some of these kids then!