Brumbies Get the Blues

The Auckland Blues have broken out of their recent funk with a superb 26-15 victory over the previously undefeated ACT Brumbies this afternoon at Eden Park.

Auckland dominated the match from beginning to end, storming to an 18-0 lead at half time and extending that advantage to as many as 19 points before a late try to the Brumbies out some respectability into the score line.

Fly half Tasesa Lavea played one his best games ever in a Blues jersey causing havoc with his short kicking and sneaky passing game, while full back Isa Nacewa also played strongly picking up a 16 point haul for the match.

Auckland may have been wallowing towards the bottom of the Super 14 ladder, but the Blues started the match like world beaters and were rewarded with an early penalty goal which was slotted over by Nacewa.

After being dominated in the early stages of the match the Brumbies looked to have taken the lead when captain Stirling Mortlock crossed in the 14th minute, but a knock on earlier in the movement meant that the try was disallowed.

ACT were able to keep their line intact just barely in the 20th minute when Auckland winger Joe Rokocoko was pulled down just short, but four minutes later the Blues were able to breach the visitors defence when flanker Troy Flavell dived over after a clever lineout move.

Nacewa was unable to convert from the wide angle leaving the score at 8-0.

Mortlock was again denied a try again when he was ruled offside after he had intercepted a long pass and from the ensuing penalty Nacewa extended the Blues advantage to 11 points with his second penalty goal of the afternoon.

A Brumbies turnover in the 34th minute led to the home side’s second try of the game with Anthony Tuitavaike scoring easily after his five eighth Tasesa Lavea stole the ball and then quickly spun the ball wide to the flying centre.

Nacewa was successful with the conversion which saw Auckland take a comfortable 18-0 lead into half time.

Another Nacewa penalty goal shortly after the main break had the Blues out by three converted tries, but that margin was reduced by seven in the 48th minute when ACT winger Clyde Rathbone dived over between the posts after some sustained pressure from the Brumbies (21-7).

Auckland put the result beyond doubt when a clever cross field kick from Lavea found an unmarked Rokocoko who quickly got the ball back on the inside to Nacewa for the try.

Nacewa hit the post with his conversion attempt, but it mattered little with the Blues already 19 points ahead with less than 20 minutes to play (26-7).

Mortlock took over the kicking duties from winger Mark Gerrard who had already missed two penalty chances and duly saluted with his first penalty attempt to get the visitors within 16 points.

A try to replacement back Joel Wilson in the 75th minute gave the Brumbies a slight sniff at an improbable victory, but some stiff defence from the Blues over the final few minutes gave the home side a well deserved win.

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