Blues
22
Match Complete
Bulls
22
| 75 |  | M. Libbok | ||
| 74 |  | M. Libbok | ||
| H. Plummer | | 63 | ||
| A. Ioane | | 62 | ||
| 53 | | M. Libbok | ||
| 52 | | C. Hendricks | ||
| S. Scrafton | | 45 | ||
| H. Plummer | | 25 | ||
| O. Tuungafasi | | 24 | ||
| 18 | | H. Liebenberg | ||
| H. Plummer |  | 16 | ||
| 9 | | M. Libbok |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
There is little margin for error for the Blues tonight as they host the desperate Bulls in a bid to keep their faint finals hopes alive. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:35pm AEST.
The Blues have underperformed yet again this season – a truth made more frustrating by the fact that they have been one of the few teams this season to truly challenge reigning premiers the Crusaders.
After failing to beat the Crusaders back in Round 1 because of a missed penalty goal attempt, the Blues yet again pushed the Crusaders all the way last week before succumbing by eight points in a low scoring affair.
Now, with three matches remaining, the Blues will most likely have to win all three games if they wish to sneak into the finals. What makes things more difficult is the fact that they are facing a Bulls team that is also well in the running for a finals birth.
In team news for the Blues, Sonny Bill Williams remains sidelined as the All Blacks centre’s Rugby World Cup selection hopes hang in the balance.
Williams has been out since suffering a knee injury in March and will miss the home game against the Bulls on Friday.
He is now being earmarked for the following week’s clash with the Reds in Brisbane.
Another All Blacks, Dalton Papalii, is still out with concussion as No.8 Akira Ioane makes his 32nd straight start.
The Bulls were well beaten by the Brumbies last week and the heavy travel may impact the South African side here again against a Blues team that has been in New Zealand for the past few weeks.
Prediction
The Bulls are in a better position than the Blues and every reason to give their all tonight in a match that could seal their place in the finals. The Blues though should be desperate themselves, and after pushing the Crusaders again, expect the hosts to do enough to seal a tight win.
Blues by 10
BLUES (15-1)
Melani Nanai, Caleb Clarke, TJ Faiane, Ma’a Nonu, Rieko Ioane, Harry Plummer, Jonathan Ruru, Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson (co-c), Tom Robinson, Scott Scrafton, Patrick Tuipulotu (co-c), Ofa Tuungafasi, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman
Reserves: Leni Apisai, Lua Li, Marcel Renata, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Hoskins Sotutu, Augustine Pulu, Otere Black, Tanielu Tele’a
BULLS (15-1)
Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal (c), Rosko Specman, Manie Libbok, Ivan van Zyl, Paul Schoeman, Hanro Liebenberg, Marco van Staden, RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Lizo Gqoboka
Reserves: Jaco Visagie, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehahn Herbst, Jannes Kirsten, Ruan Steenkamp, Andre Warner, JT Jackson, Divan Rossouw
Time: 5:35pm AEST
Venue: Eden Park
Betting: Blues $1.32, Bulls $3.30
Mark
Guest
Unfortunately - no - they are not WORST COACH WORST PLAYER SELECTION WORST PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Mark
Guest
Well - theres a surprise - the incompetently coached Blues cant even beat the Bulls at home If MacDonald isn't replaced at the end of the season then they might as well just fold the Blues up and give the Franchise to an U13 Blind XV WORST RUN SPORTING ORGANISATION OF ALL TIME
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Tough to get people down on a cold, wet night to watch their team perform inconsistently and be out of finals contention (realistically), against a team no one in Auckland cares about. I would have rathered stay home with a few beverages, nice and warm, watching on my big HD TV.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Hindsight is perfect, but even at the time felt that that angle was always a bit dodgey, should have gone the line out, then either mauled if 5m out, or work towards the middle and go for a drop goal.
Danny
Roar Pro
If Akira ever gets near the ABs other than resulting from a horrific injury run, it’ll be like the Taine or Ronny Crib era is back. Brainless losses and showy attitudes. Harsh but fair.
kick n Clap
Guest
My Thoughts exactly? I bet everybody struggled to get a seat? And I don’t mean Melbourne either. Total joke these attendances? You can’t tell me that opening that stadium tonight, with power, heating & staff costs that SR & NZ Rugby didn’t make a loss tonight?
Highlander
Guest
Because the penalty count wasn’t skewed Fraser will probably pass this week without comment but I thought that was one of the most inconsistently refereed games of the season.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Not what either of those teams needed as their playoffs hopes begin to look more and more unlikely.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yeah, as always, really impressive! ;)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
A better second half, finally some good code. Snyman MOTM for me. Gonna be crazy tight for the last finals berth. Will Akira ever learn to cool his head? Even when the ref has said leave it five times and everything is about to move on, Akira just has to run to the "action" and make some extra pushes. By all means, be a bit thuggish, but please, choose your moments Akira.
Highlander
Guest
Conditions certainly didn’t help but the decision making, from the Blues in particular, was really poor tonight. Hodgeman and Rieko came out with some credit, Snyman and van Zyl the Bulls best. Weather seemed to find out the old fellas in Brits and Nonu tonight, neither looked really comfortable.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Cheers Alan
bigbaz
Roar Guru
Well, I'm glad I'm not a blue supporter, they are a better side than that .
Alan
Roar Guru
PLUMMER MISSES - FINAL SCORE 22-22
Alan
Roar Guru
They go to the penalty. Harry Plummer will kick for the game.....
Alan
Roar Guru
Blues have advantage from a high tackle here.
Alan
Roar Guru
Great defence from the Bulls here but the referee finds a penalty for offside.
75
74
Alan
Roar Guru
Blues 22-22 Bulls. We are all locked up!