Blues bash Saders

Blues bash Saders

1 Mar 2013

Rene Ranger rocked in the Blues fabulous win against the Crusaders.

The Blues scored five unanswered tries in a 34-15 win and Ranger was influential in attack and especially in defence.

The hosts, who scored a bonus-point win against the Hurricanes in Wellington a week ago, had the bonus point for four tries within the hour.

The new coaching staff of John Kirwan, Mick Byrne and Graeme Henry have made an immediate impact and turned a decade of home team Blues into a night of bliss.

The Blues led 20-12 at halftime and Dan Carter reduced the deficit to five points early in the second half, but that was the last of the Crusaders threat as the Blues combined brutal defence with clinical finishing to dominate the match and the result.

Carter’s goalkicking and Matt Todd’s tireless efforts at the breakdown were the only positives for the visitors, who played like a team who hadn’t had a competitive match for some time. This was the Crusaders tournament opener and they were shocking.

Israel Dagg, playing on the wing, had a night to forget and so did most of his teammates as the Blues physicality in defence forced mistake after mistake. The Crusaders made 12 handling errors compared to the four of the Blues.

The home team promised to give it a full crack on attack, as they did against the Canes a week ago, but it has been their desire on defence that has defined the two bonus-point wins in the last fortnight.

Ali Williams was inspirational as captain, Chris Noakes was composed at flyhalf, Ranger was ruthless in everything he did and the back three were lethal with ball in hand.

The Crusaders were too lateral on attack, the running lines of the support runner was poor and physically they were never in the contest in the collisions.

Dagg controversially was denied a try by a TMO ruling that would have made the score 27-20 with 10 minutes to go but the Blues immediately scored a seven pointer from 80 metres as the scoreboard reflected the on-field superiority of the hosts.

Piri Weepu, good in most aspects, succeeded with only two from six strikes, which gives an indication of just how messy it got for the Crusaders. Had Weepu been more accurate the scoreline could have been closer to 50 than 30.

By Mark Keohane


377 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 » Show All

  • 1.John Galt: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:06 am

    Hum.
    Dinger.

    On a side note, it bucketed down in Durbs last night and is still raining now.

    Not entirely sure which side will favour the wet conditions. Initial thoughts are probably the Sharks.

  • 2.grant10: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:06 am

    go Blues

  • 3.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:08 am

    I have the Blues to win.

  • 4.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:11 am

    Go Blues.

    @John Galt-1: Might be Stormers, Sharks like to spread the ball wide, the wet will negate that for them.

  • 5.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:14 am

    @John Galt-1: Will be a great leveller for the Stormers. Will come down to kicking.

  • 6.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:22 am

    @Sasuke-5:I think Sharks will benifit more, they have the stronger pack and in wet weather that counts for more, also Sharks have the bighger kickers in Lambie ands Steyn.

    But again a game is won by who ever wants it the most on the day.

  • 7.Scorp1o: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:25 am

    Sharks vs. Stormers Humdinger of the Weekend:

    http://wp.me/P2QxT1-5x

  • 8.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:26 am

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-6: Yes you can be right and your last comment is spot on.

    That tight five of the Crusaders looks mean.

  • 9.the curse: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:29 am

    c’mon blues

    saders may be hindered by the week off.

  • 10.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:31 am

    @the curse-9:
    C’mon Saders
    :-)

  • 11.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:33 am

    Saders will be cold, Blues will be hot

  • 12.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:33 am

    Anyone got a link, I can’t find one?

  • 13.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:34 am

    Cmon Blues

  • 14.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:34 am

    @the curse-9:
    If Blues can hold on to that last pass…we’ll be doing fine…

  • 15.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:36 am

    3-0 Crusaders, penalty to blues. Shot at goal by Weepu.

  • 16.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:36 am

    Anyone got a link for free streaming?

  • 17.the curse: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:37 am

    TR. did you get your tips in? Nortie wanted some help :)

  • 18.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:37 am

    Weepu hits the post and saders clear.

  • 19.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:38 am

    Saders defence looks sharp.

  • 20.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:40 am

    12 phases by blues ends with saders knock on

  • 21.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:40 am

    Ai no man Weepu

  • 22.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:41 am

    Nice try

  • 23.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:41 am

    Try to Luatua, Great try

  • 24.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:41 am

    Can you feel it?

  • 25.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:42 am

    Scores remain 5-3 Blues

  • 26.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:44 am

    Not having a decent kicker will cost the Blues this year, Wipu is not and never will be a good kicker.

  • 27.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:44 am

    Yes Blues. That Luatua is something else hey, love his play, great talent.

  • 28.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:44 am

    Penalty Blues

  • 29.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:44 am

    @the curse-17:
    Kia ora Bro…yep..Your picks and scores are similar to mine, except the Stormers game. Go Hard Blues

  • 30.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:45 am

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-26: He has his moments.

  • 31.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:45 am

    @Sasuke-27:

    Yip the next AB 6

  • 32.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:46 am

    Great kick Piutau, lineout saders throw

  • 33.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:47 am

    Fruen knee heavily strapped

  • 34.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:47 am

    @CSI:Rugby-32: Didnt know he can kick.

    @NZINCHINA-31: Yessir

  • 35.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:49 am

    Holy Moses, how big is this new crusaders lock replacing the injured luke romano. He is a giant!!!

  • 36.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:50 am

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-26:
    Couple years ago he had the best kick ratio in the NZ conference. He can kick when on song. Of late he has not performed at all.

  • 37.nortierd: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:50 am

    If the Blues can keep playing like this for 80 minutes every game, could be a good year for them.
    All the play and ball, but only leading by 2

  • 38.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:51 am

    Sasuke

    I’m definitely surprised by his kicking game. He’s a well balanced player

  • 39.BrumbiesBoy: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:51 am

    Go Blues!!!

    Give those Capesaders something to bleat & whinge about!!!

    :-)

  • 40.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:52 am

    @CSI:Rugby-35: Dominic Bird?

  • 41.Sharks_are_gonna_get_you: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:52 am

    @Hurricane-36: Ah ok thanks Hurri, just very poor form then

  • 42.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:52 am

    Ranger is having a great game so far.

  • 43.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:52 am

    Morning Kiwis!

  • 44.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:52 am

    @CSI:Rugby-38: I thought he is just a hot stepper.

  • 45.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:54 am

    Dominic Bird, 21 yrs of age, 2.06cm and still growing.

  • 46.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:55 am

    I love watching Kieran Read play. Has the best instincts in rugby.

  • 47.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:55 am

    Saders back in front 6-5

  • 48.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:55 am

    @Sharks_are_gonna_get_you-41:
    Yeah poor form at the moment….may have lost too much weight :-)

    @Dawn-43:
    Morning

  • 49.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:56 am

    @Dawn-43:
    Good Morning..Dawn

  • 50.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food: Reply to this comment
    1 Mar 2013, 08:56 am

    Go the mighty Blues…..

    Sheez, I blamed my screen for the hideous pink ref’s kit last week…..alas, I see it really IS Barbie pink?

    I feel this might be some sort of peace offering on behalf of the Kiwis? Bakkies likes pink…his Bulls play in pink….Yes, they are extending the hand of friendship.

    Kieran looks as though he hasn’t even had a break from rugga…..

    And Piri – eish. Doing kick and miss?

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