Blues (13) 26 / Waratahs (8) 13 (Final Score)
The Blues hosted the Waratahs at Eden Park, Auckland at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
This was the first of the two play-off matches to decide who will be in the semi-finals. No 4 on the Combined Log (Blues) at home against No 5 on the Combined Log (Waratahs.
The Blues were just more clinical, more hungry and it showed on the final score. It was a good game of rugby, considering it is about knockout rugby and not silky bonus point rugby.
Well done Blues.
Scorers:
Blues: 1 Conversion & 1 Penalty Luke McAlister, 3 Penalties & 1 Conversion & 1 Try Lachie Munro, 1 Try Ali Williams
Waratahs: 1 Penalty Kurtley Beale, 1 Try Tom Carter, 1 Try Lachie Turner
*******************************
Teams:
Blues: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Sosene Anesi, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Josh Holmes, 8 Dave Dennis, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Pat O’Connor, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Bernard Foley.
Date: Friday, June 24
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Expected weather: There is rain expected to arrive in showers during the afternoon and evening accompanied by a southwesterly wind. Cold conditions with a high of 15°C and a low of 11°C.
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Stuart Dickinson, Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Lemoenetyd
@ grootblousmile:
Ek so sè, net sy ma….
Howzit everyone, a quick rundown from Sydney: weather is cold; lambshacks in a red wine jus, washed down with a big shiraz, ahh, ya just can’t beat the rugby season. Tahs are looking a little slow to the ball and conditions look to be horrendous in AKL.
I’m hoping for a Tahs resurgence in the secondhalf. Best wishes to all.
33@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:
Hello Oldie!
I’m also hoping for a Waratahs resurgence… if the Blues win here.. and the Crusaders win.. and the Baby Blacks win… it will be an all New Zealand weekend…. oi vei!
2nd Half On!
@ grootblousmile:
whattha!! Can I just confirm that, oracle? You are backing the Tahs?
Too much condensed milk my mate?
36@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:
I like the type of rugby the Waratahs play, generally….
Hard, uncompromising forwards pack… intelligent backline players, balance between forwards and backs.
Tell you what, if the Reds and Waratahs had to meet in the semi’s, this time my money might just be on the Tahs… I feel the Reds are fading a bit.
Chance for the Blues to go for posts again…. another easy one
Caveboy misses, and puts his scrum cap back on…
@ grootblousmile:
what an occasion that would be oracle, Reds v Tahs at Suncorp for a spot in the final – tremendous.
Horror, an injury to Kane Douglas, not a good look.
Cane Douglas cops a double-wammy… looks like a knee is gone, replaced
Another head clash between 2 Tahs players… and the Blues get another kickable penalty.
Caveboy slots it!
Blues 16 / 8
Sad to see the poor crowd at such an important match….
8 points difference… 20 min to go
Tahs need a moment of inspiration from wonder boy, Beale.
VRY STAAAA AAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT are the only SA team to klap the Crusaders this year!
The Blues just look hungrier
Try Ali Williams
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:33 – Howzit OldG,…hehehe. That Lambshanks with that lovely Aussie Shiraz sounds mouth watering…..hehe.
I am really into the Oz Shiraz now. That was my wine of choice while on holiday in Scotland. Great stuff.
Hard game this. Hope your Tahs can do it mate. Have to confess I have Blues on Bru to win. Only cause of home advantage.
Now the mountain is too steep fot the Tahs, I feel
That’s the ball game. Blues will win this. Tahs looked out of it the last period.
Blues 23 / 8
@ grootblousmile:48 – Well that is it over for Tahs I feel.
Such a pity to see such a very small crowd there. This is a quarter final. Would have expected a full stadium. Just think back to Loftus last week? Sold out. 50 000 supporters there. What a atmosphere that was. Really not sure why the kiwi games never get full house in a important game like this.
13 minutes left… 15 points difference
halloooooooo everyone.
As julle ‘n klomp dikbekke wil sien dan moet julle al ons Drifta mense hier by die werk sien…..daar is iets fout met die wifi nou kan ons nie drifta nie hahahahaha
think its game over for the Tahs!!!!!! Blues v Stormers next week 🙂
53@ Puma:
Maybe the Recession has hit New Zealand harder than we think.
Small country, not a big population.
By the way, what is Australia’s overall poulation figure?
well, that should be the end of the Tahs season. A valiant effort, so we are all now behind the Reds.
Well done Phil Waugh, what a player and a dedicated club man.
It irks me to say this in the professional era, but I don’t apportion any respect to the likes of Kurtley Beale; one who owes his career to his current club, the club who stuck by him through thick and thin – what ever happened to loyalty? I know: the $$$$$. Alas, that’s the way of the modern world!!!
Go the Reds.
hellooooooooo trips!!
55@ Tripples:
Hehehe
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