Landers resist late Blues fightback
26 May 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on a 27-20 victory for the Highlanders where they held out after a Blues rally.
There was plenty of ambition but very little precision about either sides’ play which made for a scrappy affair that the Highlanders edged because of their technical and tactical superiority as well as the clinical finishing.
There can be no question that Landers’ attacking threat has been significantly diluted in the absence of Nasi Manu, and to lesser extent James Haskell. Manu, injured against the Bulls last week, has been a constant source of momentum at the gainline, while Haskell’s industry and competency when carrying had been central to their success.
The Highlanders’ attack looked laboured and impotent in the absence the gainline dominance they had become used to, and it was no surprise their opening two tries came from broken field situations – the first to Tamati Ellison after the ball had been hacked ahead following a turnover, while the second saw Kurt Baker break and offload to Hosea Gear.
It would be remiss not to credit the Blues for their stifling and stealing the at the breakdown. They hadn’t looked this combative since their win against the Bulls at Loftus. If they had limited their errors in general play (numerous in great attacking positions) and kicked more accurately – the latter which cost them a try just after the restart – they could well have snapped their losing streak.
The Highlanders lead 15-6 at the break but scored directly from a poor kick-off that exposed the defence on the left-hand side of the field. Fullback Ben Smith – outstanding throughout – fielded the kick and danced through the scattered line before dishing off to Gear for his second try.
The game drifted from one flawed passage of play to another, but the Blues were galvanised by Ma’a Nonu’s injection into the contest. The midfielder’s impact was immediate and he threatened every time he was in possession. But the optimism he conjured was short-lived – an overcooked lineout in the Blues’ 22m gifting the Highlanders the four-try bonus point and effectively sealing the result with 20 minutes to play.
The Blues rallied well, props Tevita Mailau and Tony Woodcock scoring converted tries to set up a tense finish. But the Highlanders held on, and the Blues will lament their imprecision at critical times.
71 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
26 May 2012, 11:17 am
@chch(chch)-43: It was heartbreaking. For a proud rugby union to be smacked like that, was nothing short of tragic. Lord knows what the Jones, Brookes legends of old must have been feeling (ARE feeling – ). Troy Flavell would have physically whacked/punched and steamrolled this Landers team on his own……the hard men of Blues rugby – where the hell are they?????????
26 May 2012, 11:18 am
Next seasons Blues squad: Blanco, Lomu, Gerber, Horan, Campese, Wilkinson, Farr-Jones, Zinzan, Michael Jones, Willie O, Frik du Preez, Willie John McBride, Keith Murdoch, Fitzpatrick, Olo Brown
Bench: Keith Woods, Richard Loe, John Eales, Jean Pierre Rives, G.Edwards, Spencer, Caucaunibuca.
Honest…
26 May 2012, 11:20 am
They lack a real leader.
John Smit can turn this ship around in one season.
26 May 2012, 11:21 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-51: Hard men of Blues rugby all got pushed out by the Pat Lam regime. Mose Tuialii to Crusaders, Sone Lauaki to Chiefs, Troy Flavell to Japan/France, Sam Tuitupou to England etc. Now all the hard baastards play south of the Bombay hills and in the south island.
26 May 2012, 11:24 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food
Exactly,
26 May 2012, 11:25 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-51:
yep and the final Blues try was clear obstruction but the margin was so big I don’t think the referee could be bothered not giving it so it was worse than it looked.
Ali Williams moved to the Crusaders because he didn’t like the previous coach. Odd that he returned for Pat Lam.
26 May 2012, 11:25 am
fark off rangerman…they got it the 2nd time…
26 May 2012, 11:26 am
trassie why are you so emotional
26 May 2012, 11:27 am
Jimmy gives a terrible interview
26 May 2012, 11:27 am
I had high hope for the blue at the start of the season. Packed to the roof with All Blacks but then then the c.rap hit the fan … Shame.
26 May 2012, 11:29 am
@CSI:Rugby(CSI:Rugby)-54: Yup, Lam clean sweeped the lot. Pat seems a decent chap, but honestly, his mission to move away from the Blues traditional strengths has finally collapsed on itself. (Although last season – man, there were feelings of deja vu at times – back to the BLUEprint moments) Please God may sanity prevail moving forward.
26 May 2012, 11:34 am
Do we want the Stormers to lose to the Sharks?
After the abuse from some Stormers fans on here I think we do.
26 May 2012, 11:35 am
quality decision chch
i appluad you
tui handles are on me when i am in town again.
26 May 2012, 11:36 am
nothing emotional about telling rangerman to sod off, are you braaing again tonight?
26 May 2012, 11:36 am
@Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19(Fern)-53: They lack direction – not a leader. They need a coach to re-instill the Blues values, attitude, mongrel and vision of old. A few decent off season purchases in the forwards – a ‘back to Blues basics’ type of coach, and a dumping of a few current players – Bob’s your uncle.
26 May 2012, 11:41 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-65: 1000% in agreement
26 May 2012, 11:42 am
no trassie
i am handing the tongs to a mate tonight
i am going to be a innocent bystander.
26 May 2012, 12:16 pm
Woodcock was immense for Blues in scrums
he is second only to frenchie Domingo as most destructive loosehead scrummager in world today. Our Woodcock was Heinkie van der Merwe and shame he will not be in Bok reckoning. The Blues need to start with a clean slate like Hammett did with Hurricanes.
26 May 2012, 12:45 pm
The Blues squad on selection has been going downhill under Lam. The worst decision was to select another halfback when what the Blues desperately need, and have needed for the last 5 years is a decent 10!
26 May 2012, 13:04 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-57: easy now, you sound hormonal today?
27 May 2012, 04:09 am
YESSSS!!!!!
Well, I was quietly packing for the last 6 minutes there after woody scored.
Nonu looked immense as usual.
Highlanders played Crusaders rugby, did nothing & punished mistakes.
Blues same old, build pressure, look good, just when they start to stretch, Saili drops the ball
Highlanders 6th, just Crush, Chiefs & Reds to go… gulp…
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.