Chiefs counter Blues’ blitz

Chiefs counter Blues’ blitz

2 Jun 2012

GARETH DUNCAN reports on the Chiefs’ 41-34 bonus-point victory over the Blues in Albany.

Seventy-five points, nine tries and 13 kicks at goal were scored in this highly entertaining and closely contested New Zealand derby. Four of those five-pointers were dotted down via Chiefs wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma, who equalled the Super Rugby record for most tries scored by a player in one match. He becomes the 10th player to achieve this feat.

But despite Tikorotuma’s fine finishing, the Blues scored four tries of their own to create a competitive clash. The hosts have struggled for confidence and cohesion throughout the season, but they were an improved team in this encounter. Two of their tries came in the final quarter against a 14-man Chiefs side, who lost lock Michael Fitzgerald for punching (their second yellow card of the match). This forced a late 34-34 deadlock.

A comeback win was on the cards as the Aucklanders looked determined in the dying stages, but the Chiefs regained the ascendancy when they returned to 15 men. During an attacking move in the 70th minute, fullback Robbie Robinson put through an accurate chip, which saw Tikorotuma outsprint the Blues’ covering defence to score the match-winning try.

The haul of maximum log points will see the Chiefs hold pole position in the Kiwi conference and on the overall table for another week, while the Blues claim two consolation log points.

The visitors enjoyed the better start in the first half as they surged into a 20-10 lead by the half-hour mark. Flyhalf Aaron Cruden’s clever chip exposed the opposition’s rushed defence and put Tikoirotuma through for his first try, while inside centre Sonny Bill Williams held off five defenders on route to the chalk. Cruden added the extras and two penalties.

However, the Blues fought back bravely and levelled matters by half-time. Both teams were reduced to 14 men when Blues flank Steven Luatua and Chiefs wing Maritino Nemani were sin-binned for dangerous tackles in quick succession. The game loosened up thereafter and Blues wing Lachie Munro slid in at the corner thanks to a strong run from speedster Rene Ranger. This saw the scoreboard read 20-20 at the break.

The Chiefs started the second stanza strongly, and impressive build-up play allowed Tikorotuma to complete his hat-trick by the 55th-minute. With the 34-20 advantage, the Chiefs were expected to cruise to victory.

The Blues flipped the script when Fitzgerald was yellow-carded moments later. Fullback Rudi Wulf and Ranger crossed the chalk to break down the deficit, but the Chiefs still managed to clinch their 11th win of the season following Tikorotuma’s record-equalling fourth try.


77 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

  • 1.carol: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:26 am

    Well, this is not going to be much of a game is it?

    Dragon!!

  • 2.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:28 am

    More nails in the coffin of poor old Pat Lam’s coaching career. :(

  • 3.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:32 am

    @TheTackler(TheTackler)-2: Well he could get to get it by shouting Racism!! :lol:

  • 4.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:38 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-3: Old Pat is such a typical islander in that regard.

  • 5.Guns: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:38 am

    @carol(carol)-1: No Carol it does not look like it.. Blue Powder Puff Dragons..

  • 6.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:43 am

    @goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-4: this be true

  • 7.Guns: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:47 am

    Yebo!!! Common u silly Blues!! Upset! Go GO GO!!! :D

  • 8.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:49 am

    What’s a typical islander

  • 9.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:50 am

    go Blues, cause a nice upset, oh damnit as i typed that the Chiefs score a try :lol:

  • 10.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:52 am

    what vision & execution by cruden!

  • 11.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:53 am

    C’mon Blues!!! :-)

  • 12.viewer: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:54 am

    Cruden – weak tackle, try. Then brilliant grubber

  • 13.Guns: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:55 am

    Did not last long.. no surprise there..

  • 14.viewer: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:56 am

    SBW’s being provoked a lot recently

  • 15.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:57 am

    Two tries so far — both scored by islanders.

  • 16.viewer: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 09:59 am

    @4 je_sus man

  • 17.goyougoodthing2: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:00 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-8: I think you need to go and experience that for yourself.

    Basically entire countries with chips on their shoulders about something or other.

  • 18.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:03 am

    @goyougoodthing2(goyougoodthing2)-17: chips or logs???

  • 19.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:04 am

    We got that right here

  • 20.viewer: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:05 am

    Nonu’s in trouble for that rib hit. Ref missed it

  • 21.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:07 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-19: this is also true

  • 22.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:12 am

    Two yellow cards, one for each team! Blimey!!

  • 23.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:16 am

    These filthy kiwis with their tip tackles, very bad.

  • 24.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:19 am

    rudi wulf ran a good blocking line there…

  • 25.viewer: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:34 am

    Thread died a slow death

  • 26.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

    @viewer(viewer)-25: I confess I am too busy watching the game and doing live betting to comment here much…

  • 27.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:43 am

    @Todd W(Todd W)-26: I have money on the Chiefs to win and they aren’t doing as well as I had hoped, which necessitates me keeping a close eye on the game.

  • 28.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:53 am

    Tip tackles and clear punches with no red cards. Maybe I dont understand the rules.

  • 29.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:54 am

    clear punches being thrown, TJ says red and Ref does with yellow,? WTF :shock:

  • 30.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:55 am

    @Mr Black(Mr Black)-28: I’d say the Chiefs are suffering enough with being a man down; oh look, the Blues scored a try. Damn you Fitzgerald.

  • 31.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:56 am

    it’s painful watching this game with these Blues partisan commentators, yesses..

  • 32.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:56 am

    @Mr Black(Mr Black)-28: Mr black and white lol , nope you are right we all see it the same way, accept of course the Kiwifruit Refs :mrgreen:

  • 33.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:58 am

    Ranger scores a try of brilliance

  • 34.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:58 am

    rene ranger!!!

  • 35.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 10:59 am

    go bluessssssssssssssssssssss

  • 36.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:00 am

    try of the season

  • 37.chch: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:02 am

    damn **** blues

  • 38.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:03 am

    @chch(chch)-37: You got money riding on the Chiefs as well?

  • 39.chch: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:04 am

    surely he pushed him before
    or just wishful thinking

    is that all the camera angles they have?

  • 40.chch: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:04 am

    @Todd W(Todd W)-38:

    no, just want top spot :)

  • 41.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:05 am

    Ding dong battle. A enjoyable game.

  • 42.Todd W: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:07 am

    @chch(chch)-40: Oh ****, that reminds me that I forgot to make my Superbru picks . . . AGAIN. Like, three weeks in a bloody row.

    Darn it.

    Nevermind. :-)

  • 43.louis schropnel: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:09 am

    if Rene Ranger is not an AB this year then Hansen dont know who his best backs are, the way he combines with Nonu and takes it up through rucks and mauls in midfield and steps off both feet he should be part of AB’s offense this year most devastating player with ball in hand in entire S15

  • 44.chch: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:12 am

    what a cockup

  • 45.RL: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:12 am

    @louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-43: do you think that Henson will be tempted to poach Asaeli Tikoirotuma from Fiji?

  • 46.chch: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:13 am

    @louis schropnel(louis shrapnel)-43:
    yeah but his form is up and down

  • 47.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:14 am

    Fark the Blues could have done the Stormers a huge favour tonight. So close!

    Isn’t it refreshing to see the Blues scrummie clear the ruck area so quick compared to Duwenhage’s rubbish. AC needs to be moered hard!

  • 48.RL: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:16 am

    @Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-47:

    :grin:

    Stormers to be moered by the pink cows!

  • 49.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:18 am

    well done chiefs, but your defence is suspect lately smith will have to re-work something if this team is to make a play for the title.

  • 50.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    2 Jun 2012, 11:19 am

    So close boys, Blues played well tonight, proud. Two kiwi derbies, two beauties.

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