Two tries: Frank Halai
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The Blues banished the memories of their 2012 season with a superb 34-20 bonus-point win over the Hurricanes at Westpac Stadium on Saturday.
Dubbed by many as being this year's basement side in the conference, the Blues shocked the Hurricanes by scoring four tries in the contest.
Frank Halai grabbed a brace while Charles Piutau and Rene Ranger also crossed, with Piri Weepu kicking the remaining points for the Aucklanders.
There were some home truths for the home side, however, as they couldn't recapture their hugely impressive 2012 form in their season opener.
Without the injured Cory Jane, the 'Canes came off second best to the promising Blues backline, which was marshalled well by veteran Weepu.
The Blues got off to a good start as fly-half Chris Noakes made a fine break and earned his side a penalty which Weepu slotted for a 3-0 lead.
However the Blues were unable to claim the ball from the re-start and immediately put themselves under pressure. Beauden Barrett nailed a penalty and followed up with another soon after.
The Blues looked dangerous on attack and it wasn't long before their back-three shone.
Following a line-out 20 metres from the Hurricanes' line, George Moala smashed his way through Conrad Smith before Rene Ranger fired a miss pass out to Halai who crossed.
However while there were plenty of exciting moments on attack, the Blues looked passive in defence and allowed the hosting hosts to make the most of their possession.
'Canes wing Julian Savea finished off a sustained period of play to go over in the corner, and Barrett's conversion gave the home side a 13-8 lead before Weepu narrowed matters.
The Blues came out for the second-half with renewed vigour and got stuck into their New Zealand counterparts. Once again it was fly-half Noakes who made the initial break before a second man play out wide saw full-back Charles Piutau crash over the line.
But in what looked to be a match defining call, TMO Vinny Munro controversially sin-binned Halai for purposely knocking the ball into the in-goal and awarded the hosts a penalty try.
With their backs against the wall, the young Blues outfit hit back the only way they knew how.
100-cap Weepu slotted a penalty goal to narrow the deficit to just a point with 20 minutes remaining, before outside centre Ranger celebrated his 50th game in style and put his side ahead with a brilliant try as he brushed off three defenders to fight his way over the line.
George Moala then intercepted the ball and raced 40 metres, and from the ensuing ruck the ball was spun wide as Halai crashed over for his second try. A penalty on full-time by Weepu put an exclamation mark on a fine performance as the Blues came away with five points.
The scorers:
For Hurricanes:
Tries: Savea, Penalty
Con: Barrett 2
Pen: Barrett 2
For Blues:
Tries: Halai 2, Piutau, Ranger
Con: Weepu
Pen: Weepu 4
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo.
Blues: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Francis Saili, 11 George Moala, 10 Chris Noakes, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams (c), 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Angus Ta'avao, 18 Liaki Moli, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Bryn Hall, 21 Baden Kerr, 22 Jackson Willison.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Nick Briant (New Zealand)
Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Comments
ferdie says...
isograford - don't have to worry about Ranger long-term, he's off for the money in France for Montpellier after this Blues season, they'll pay a lot mare than any All Blacks contract could. At 26 he could well have been in the running for an AB spot, but pro rugby rules! $$$$$$$$$$$$
Posted 11:16 26th February 2013
hellovanite says...
Isograford... Yes, early day's. I agree I'm also not yet convinced he's an outside centre. I think he might be more suited to the inside at 12, playing a Nonu type role. He's played there before and has made some good line breaks in that position. Still early days at centre.
Posted 09:20 26th February 2013
hellovanite says...
Posted 09:19 26th February 2013
ferdie says...
Isograford - stats show Barrett missed three tackles (as did his opposite, Noakes); he was 1st equal in missed tackles for the 2012 tournament, would have hoped his time in AB training camps may have improved things.
But . . . top missed tackles so far 2013 goes to Kurtley Beale on 10 (two matches though); and of course the big players target the 10s.
Posted 02:37 26th February 2013
Isograford says...
Hmmm, worrying signs for the supposed future stars. Peranara was sloppy, Barrett apparently can't tackle, and Brad Shields was invisible. Halai had it all over Savea.
Still, only game one. They can only improve after that performance.
For the Blues, still not convinced Ranger is a centre.
Posted 21:50 24th February 2013
isthatrightref says...
Not wanting to take anything away from 2 pretty good matches (esp when compared to the fumble fest in Brisbane & the kick-a-thon in Melbourne) BUT... Thursday was the 2nd anniversary of the Canterbury earthquake: given the standing of rugby in general & the Crusaders in particular, surely SANZAR should've scheduled a Crusaders v Hurricanes & given the proceeds to the mayoral relief fund?
Posted 05:05 24th February 2013
runnrugby says...
There was much talk about the canes loosies but it was the blues ones that really stood out. Always been a fan of Luatua and although im not a big fan of Saili he had a great game too. Both these players outplayed their opposites Sheild and Vito and Chris Noakes had a solid game at first five. I think the Canes struggled with the power of the blues backs especially later on in the match. Piatau, Moala, Saili, Halai, Ranger are all powerful runners and the Canes backline even Conrad Smith struggled to contain them.
Posted 21:05 23rd February 2013
melkdave says...
A very good game,both sides being posative ,and fun to watch ,nothing else needs saying really.
Posted 17:07 23rd February 2013
passtheball says...
letsgoboks - agree both games were so full of positive play and excellent skills for the first game of the S15.
Playing in dry and warm conditions can only help. Later in the year most games are played at night in cold and dewy conditions mostly to satisfy the UK TV public who ironically often look down their noses at the style of rugby, suggesting there is no defense while conveniently overlooking the skill and enterprise on show.
Posted 14:58 23rd February 2013
carpelone says...
I said it. I know John Kirwan and he is an inspirational man. Blues to be contenders for NZ conference.
Posted 13:25 23rd February 2013
letsgoboks says...
NZ games have been incredible so far. Awesome
Posted 12:43 23rd February 2013
golden_statenba says...
Saw the 2nd half of the game
From what I saw it was just great attacking rugby.
I think the d will tighten up throughout the season
Early days but yeah more good young players coming through for NZ
Posted 12:16 23rd February 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
This the third PR story I've read for Today's games where backs, mostly wingers, have broken 3/4 tacklers to score tries. Is it defensive frailties or an amazing generation of wingers coming through in Super Rugby, particularly in Oz?
Posted 10:38 23rd February 2013
hellovanite says...
I really hope this continues, they seem to have prepared well and have finally got the right culture/environment going on. I was impressed with Luatua at 6 and both the Saili boys gave a good account of themselves. Halai is looking menacing as well with the fleet footed Piutau capable of anything, question mark on his kicking game, doesn't seem to know that kicking the ball is allowed. Just flat out running from everywhere! All and all I'm pretty excited about the new talent pool emerging in NZ this year, with the blues being no exception. They need to be tested away from home by a good South African team who will restrict possession, but mark the Blues down as a team to watch in 2013.
Posted 10:13 23rd February 2013
NHsaints says...
Great start to the season, I hope the blues can kick on from this...who'd bet against savea being top try scorer this season?
Posted 09:26 23rd February 2013
tha_mai says...
enjoyed both the NZ matches this weekend - twelve tries and every one scored by an outside back, hope that continues.
Top marks for Ali Williams, played the full 80 and no silly stuff, did all the work a lock should, and Weepu in front of his old home crowd, great effort. A few new names there justified their selections, Frank Halai (as well as his tries) had a good overall game.
Posted 08:30 23rd February 2013