Hopeless Blues slump to new low

Hopeless Blues slump to new low

4 May 2012

JON CARDINELLI watched the Hurricanes beat the Blues 35-19 to hand the Aucklanders their seventh successive defeat.

The Blues remain rooted to the foot of the Super Rugby table, and are now big favourites to win the New Zealand conference wooden spoon.

They haven’t beaten another Kiwi franchise this season, and Friday’s defeat marked their second loss to the Hurricanes in 2012. The Hurricanes are currently ranked fourth in the New Zealand conference, but are now a whopping 18 log points clear of the last-placed Blues.

These are desperate times, and the desperation of this hapless Blues outfit was apparent from the outset of Friday’s match in Wellington.

It was clear that the plan was to play a more structured game, but the Hurricanes had come to the contest with the intent to spoil and niggle, and these tactics worked superbly. It was only a matter of time before the Blues imploded.

The Hurricanes were guilty of poor ball protection at times, but their tactics to kick the ball into open spaces and pressure the Blues back three with high-hanging kicks certainly paid dividends.

It was a well-weighted cross kick by Beauden Barrett that provided them with their first scoring opportunity, but special mention should go to Cory Jane for the finish. Jane employed his fantastic aerial skills to disrupt George Moala so that the Blues winger lost possession, and the ever-alert Conrad Smith pounced on the loose ball to score.

The Hurricanes were typically erratic at the breakdown, and for a while Piri Weepu kept the Blues in touch with his accurate goal-kicking boot. At one stage the scoreline was 12-8 in the visitors’ favour, and they looked set to end the half with the lead.

But their inability to finish scoring opportunities cost them dearly. Chris Lowrey was held up when he crashed over the tryline, and further ventures into the Hurricanes 22 ended in frustration with the Blues spilling the ball forward.

It was another Blues error that sparked the Hurricanes’ second try, with TJ Perenara swooping on a bouncing ball and finding the omnipresent Jane. Jane in turn fed Andre Taylor, who raced away for his eighth try of the season.

The Blues’ effort really started to flag in the last 30 minutes, and a sublime exhibition of handling skills allowed Julian Savea to score the decisive try. From that point, the Blues were chasing the game, and without the necessary dominance up front or the all-round leadership and decisiveness, they had no chance of coming back.

A bonus-point try was added by Perenara late in the piece, and Jason Eaton scored the hosts’ fifth after a wild pass by Blues fullback Hadleigh Parkes dropped right in front of him. It was an embarrassing end for a Blues team that has already had to deal with its fair share of humiliation.

They managed to avoid the embarrassment of not scoring a try, as Benson Stanley’s late five-pointer added some respectability to the scoreline. Having said that, there’s not getting around the fact that a 16-point defeat to a rebuilding Hurricanes team is a damning indictment.

This Blues side is in disarray, and while it may be too late to avoid the Kiwi conference wooden spoon, they will now be playing for pride. They will be lucky to to avoid a last-placed finish on the overall log.


88 Comments

  • 1.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 08:42 am

    Caned Dragons

  • 2.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 08:51 am

    Blues are going through what the Bulls went through a couple of years ago. No doubt they’ll come right in a season or two. It’s the nature of the sport. The Sharks know that all too well.

  • 3.willievz: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:04 am

    Allez le Bleu

  • 4.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:28 am

    Sorry guys if I’ve been fast asleep :sad:
    .., but can anybody tell me what was the conclusion/ verdict of the Great SARU Pilgramage? to Aus with Hoskins, Van Rooyen, etc. re our local participants come Super Rugby 2013?
    Are things set in stone re promotion/ relegation, or did the Great Trek managed to obtain the desired results, and a 6th Saffa franchise?

  • 5.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:29 am

    The Mighty Blues will definitely rise again..just not this year. Until they get their mix right of players who have the aerobic capacity to last 80 min, and others who have the uncanny skill to unlock defenses then they will remain cellar dwellers.

  • 6.seabiscuit: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:31 am

    last game between the 2 was a cracker lets hope for the same

    Canes by 14

  • 7.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:37 am

    Hehe…the commentator said, “..taken down by thrush.” Okay maybe I have a warped sense of humour.

  • 8.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:38 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-5:

    By any chance do you know Jim Blackwell?

  • 9.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:42 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-8:
    No bro….who that?

  • 10.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:43 am

    Ask one of your mates in the SAS..;-)

  • 11.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:45 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-10:
    Ok….will do

  • 12.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:47 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-7: lol funny

    luckily Woodcock is not playing

  • 13.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:48 am

    Yes go Canes! Woohoo Conrad Smith! Fantasy Points!

  • 14.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:49 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-9:

    Colonel Blackwell is the C.O. of the NZ SAS.

  • 15.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:49 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-11:

    Burn this page after reading.

  • 16.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:50 am

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-14:

    Spot on. Fine fellow.

  • 17.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:51 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-10:

    Oh shut up about the military already

    Just go get the gun and take a coupla people out

    You worse than Fern and his fecking dam

  • 18.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:54 am

    Dawn obviously didn’t get it all this morning. The cat was tired.

  • 19.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:54 am

    @WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-14:
    Oh was unaware. Should I have known that.? When I see my old school mates,we talk about whanau and the old days at kura.

  • 20.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:55 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-18:

    You been jumping up and down and wetting your pants for weeks about some rifle or firearm or whatever.

    Cant wait to shoot someone.

    Just do it already.

  • 21.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:55 am

    Wow, Blues in the lead. At this point I am glad I didn’t bet on the Canes as I was so sorely tempted to do.

    However, whether the Blues can last the full 80 is another matter.

  • 22.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:57 am

    @Pot Blou Gevaar(Pot Blou Gevaar)-4: They haven’t gone over yet, but Sanzar already said a 6th team will not be possible till 2015

  • 23.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:57 am

    Reminds me.

    I have to get my personal DVD “Shooter”

  • 24.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 09:58 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-20:

    I still get warm and giddy.

  • 25.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:02 am

    ‘Canes by 8

  • 26.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:05 am

    @Atlas(Atlas)-22:
    Appreciated guy…
    Cheers

  • 27.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:07 am

    Fat boy can kick. 12 – 8 Blues

  • 28.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:11 am

    Canes rugby at its best, let’s just have canes v cheetahs every weekend, 76-75 scoreline

  • 29.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:12 am

    Yes Andre Taylor! More Fantasy points for me! Double Points on Taylor my cappie.

  • 30.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:18 am

    Shock horror, the ref actually called a forward pass. That’s got to be first for the season.

  • 31.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:19 am

    Andre Taylor reminds me a bit of Andre Joubert.

  • 32.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:20 am

    Last week Wednesday I saw there was no grass on Loftus, they took it off. How does it work? Do they plant new grass or what? The next game is only on June 2 vs the Stormers.
    Maybe it will be a mud fest.

  • 33.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:22 am

    Joost vd Westhuizen may have smoked it? I dunno.

  • 34.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:23 am

    Canes need two more tries for the Bonus point. Come on Canes. I am loving Andre Taylor more and more. Getting good points on Fantasy League.

  • 35.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:23 am

    The “grumpy mood” fairy has s hat on prawns brain the whole week.
    She is grumpy cause the love gap is not a cool look anymore.

  • 36.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:24 am

    @David(David)-31: Joubert was probably the best supporting fullback I’d ever seen. He was everywhere.

  • 37.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:26 am

    @Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-35:

    Why doesn’t she just put her dentures back in? Maybe lost it in the Firemans.

  • 38.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:27 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-36:

    He was a pleasure to watch at full sprint. Ladysmith boy.

  • 39.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:29 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-36:
    I agree, he also had the ability to accelerate through a gap without appearing to change pace. I noticed the same talents in Taylor.

  • 40.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:32 am

    Canes are slack. Need to get sharper.

  • 41.Beertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:33 am

    @Atlas(Atlas)-32: The did not remove the grass. They just cut the summer gras very short, plant winter grass (seeds) and then cover it with a layer of top soil. You must check the latest photos after just a week – it looks like a bowling green.

  • 42.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:34 am

    De Villiers said he was “very excited” about working with the new Bok mentor, Meyer.
    JDV to press about Bok camp

    “We are very excited to join up with the camp,” he told a media scrum at Newlands.

    “It is unfamiliar territory … working with a new coach. It is a learning experience for us as well and it has been very good – the technical side of things, they are very well organised. It is also about getting into the coach’s head and see what the plans are for Springbok rugby going forward.

    “We now have some insight into that now and like I said, we are all very excited about it.

  • 43.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:35 am

    @Atlas(Atlas)-42:

    I get the feeling de Villiers is very excited about working with Meyer.

  • 44.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:35 am

    @Beertjie(Beertjie)-41: Thanks. Will go have a look on Saterday

  • 45.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:37 am

    who wants it more….

    no who wants it less….

    no, no who wants it more….

    no, no…

  • 46.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:38 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-43: I think everybody is excited, and JDV will be captain. As a Bulls supporter I’m happy with him at the helm.

  • 47.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:40 am

    @Great White Shark(Predawn)-38: He had the temperament of a glacier and GPS for the try line. Deceptively fast and played in an era of great running fullbacks, and he was at the top of that list.

  • 48.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:48 am

    @Atlas(Atlas)-42:

    And?

  • 49.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:51 am

    forward pass blues

  • 50.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:52 am

    And your’e still the most beautiful woman I’ve never met

  • 51.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:53 am

    Nonu, Weepu, in front of the Canes faithful, you put on individual performances that brings a smile to Mark Hammetts face and the Wellington crowd. From bad to woeful and downright unbearable. As a blues die hard, I hope 2013 is a whole etter than what we have been served up this season.

  • 52.Hoops: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:59 am

    Just end the game right now and it is right on the money in superbru for me….by nine

  • 53.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 10:59 am

    South African born Reg Goodes, may have just scored his first ever try.

  • 54.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:00 am

    @Atlas(Atlas)-50: @ Dawn. Not you Brokeback boys

  • 55.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:01 am

    Conclusive proof that the rugby ball is not round.

  • 56.greentea: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:01 am

    Big difference in skill level between NZ and SA backs.

  • 57.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:02 am

    No try to Goodes, but TJ Perenara is a great little player. 2015 RWC halves will be Perenara and Aaron Smith. Just as I give him praise, he scores a try.

  • 58.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:03 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-53:
    How old is Barrett? He looks as if he should still be at school.

  • 59.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:05 am

    @David(David)-58: I believe he’s only 20, he and Perenara were part of the NZ U20s last year, so you’re right in that he looks like he is twelve. Reminds me of Andrew Merhtens, not the kicking though.

  • 60.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:09 am

    Well that’s another Blues loss. Nothing to see here folks, move along . . . LOL.

  • 61.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:10 am

    Skills in this game have been exceptional. Support play, chip n chase, not a blockbuster, but really entertaining.

  • 62.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:11 am

    @Todd W(Todd W)-60: You’re wrong Todd, they lost pretty today, lol

  • 63.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:14 am

    The plan to see the removal of Pat is coming to fruition….even the players have bought into it….

  • 64.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:14 am

    Pat Lam needs to do the right thing now and F off.

  • 65.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:16 am

    i need to the blues to keep their lose to within 3 to 9 points dammit.

  • 66.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:16 am

    Eaton, gathers, fends, steps, slides, TRY! Not bad for a lock.

  • 67.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:16 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-59:
    Great prospect. I’ve been really impressed with his mature decision making.

  • 68.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:17 am

    to late its over.

  • 69.Atlas: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:18 am

    Game over.
    Now for the Pink Bully boyz to put 20+ on the Rebels

  • 70.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:21 am

    @David(David)-67: yeah, I agree, level headed customer, he and Perenara will be in the ABs maybe not this year, but definitely in years to come. Great little combo. When Carter retires, I reckon Barrett will be 2nd in line behind Cruden.

  • 71.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:26 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-70:
    Barret will never be an Ab until he is willing to put his body on the line on D.

  • 72.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:27 am

    Dang.

    Missed the winning margin by 1 point.

  • 73.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:31 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-71: Give him time, he’ll eventually get there. Look at Cruden, he has oly just bulked up and puts in the shoulder compared to when he started, he was a turnstile on D. Mehrts, Carlos were also not so good defenders.

  • 74.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:36 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-73:
    I hope so because he has all the attacking skills. But good D is more a mental thing…..rather than body mass.

  • 75.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:39 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-74: Totally agree, Cruden, Barrett, Anscombe, Taylor, Noakes, Sopoaga, Bleyendaal, we have plenty of young flyhalves coming through the lots system. Good headache to have.

  • 76.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:39 am

    Colts*

  • 77.David: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:41 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-74:
    I reckon that as a young player becomes more confident in his body strength, he becomes more solid on defence. Especially in the 10 channel.

  • 78.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:43 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-75:
    Yeah Bro, good crop…. wish they could all be in a Blues jersey

  • 79.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:45 am

    thought Lions were bad – this is team full of ABs???

    by by Lam

  • 80.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:46 am

    @David(David)-77:
    yes you are right in some cases but you either have the heart to mix it with the big boys or you don’t

  • 81.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:51 am

    Ever since Henry Honiball put the shoulder into every tackle and changed the defensive make up of the ten jersey, the spotlight is put squarely on flyhalves who cannot defend and that usually is the trump card when it comes to selection. Tony Brown wasn’t bad either.

  • 82.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 11:55 am

    @CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-81:
    Great defender but lacked the x factor to be considered amongst the best……Carter any day..

  • 83.Sharksgirl: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:29 pm

    My condolences CSI and Te Rangatira, I feel for you as a Sharks supporter I can empathise, don’t know what tomorrow will bring :( But hopefully 2013 will be better for both our teams! hopefully with new coaching staff! Lam, Plum, Bashford and Hugh Reece must go!

  • 84.dermie: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 12:45 pm

    toughest conference by far 4/5 sides a chance to make it.could have been 4 kiwi sides in the finals,except for the cr*p conference system,rewarding mediocrity

  • 85.Great White Shark: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 16:12 pm

    Blues coach Pat Lam asked Canes coach Mark Hammett: Could I have a gumguard for Piri Weepu? Mark replied ‘yeah, that’s a fair swap’.

  • 86.DAS: Reply to this comment
    4 May 2012, 16:29 pm

    Good for Hammett. Nonu/Weepu were notorious for slacking off and not putting in 100% during Super Rugby, and Hammett decided he wasn’t going to put up with it. Vindication for him. And at age 20 Perenera is already a better scrum half than Weepu.

  • 87.whatever: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 01:32 am

    Still think they will pomp the Lions though…

  • 88.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    5 May 2012, 08:18 am

    would you put money on the Lions??

    might be worth a wager.

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