The try scoring machine - Blues turn their season around with an amazing victory against the Bulls25/3/2017 QBE Stadium in Auckland's North Shore was host to the Blues as they took on the Vodacom Bulls. It was fitting that the game was at a different location because the Blues were also looking for some change and a win to gain confidence and turn their season around. The Blues didn't muck around and got straight into it, with halfback Augustine Pulu scoring the first try within the first 4 minutes. The try was then successfully converted by Piers Francis, and not long after the Bulls answered back with a try and it was all tied up for 7. Augustine Pulu celebrates a fantastic try. As the last 10 minutes of the first half arrived, the South African side started to look fatigued and lineouts from the Blues were looking pretty good which was definitely an improvement from last week. Every time opposition tried to tackle Pulu he always found a way to get out of it and similarly Ioane did the same. Many expected the game to be close but not as close as it was, going into the half time break. The Blues had one more chance to score a try with a lineout but the ball was turned over and that was another lost opportunity. The Bulls conceded 10 turnovers in the 1st half to the Blues 6 and it was a low-scoring half with both teams scoring 7 points. Melani Nanai makes a huge run as he scores his teams 6th try of the night. The second half was nothing but power from the home team and it got to a start with winger Matt Duffie scoring a fabulous try and once again Francis was on point to convert. There wasn't a long gap between this try and the next because as the Blues fought to the try line, Francis took control and with a terrific pin-point chip kick which was well timed by Matt Duffie he was able to catch the high ball to score his second try. It wasn't converted but the lead was slowly getting bigger and that was great news for fans. As the game progressed the Bulls were getting in the rucks and putting some pressure on the ball. Jesse Kriel came close and Jimmy Tupou was found to be doing a neck roll on Kriel which sent him to the sin bin with a yellow card. If it was last week's Blues team playing, missing a player would've effected them and maybe even cost them the game, but the Blues who played tonight soldiered on, and with 14 players on the field Ihaia West scored. If you thought that the Blues wouldn't be able to produce anymore, well think again. Because next up it was Matt Mould's turn to shine and he was also able to score, this time in the wing position. Then after the kick-off some passes and great speed led to another try and this one was from Melani Nanai who one-handedly caught the ball and raced to the try-line. The Bulls did have the last say as Rudy Paige scored and it was an enjoyable game for all the fans who had been waiting for a victory for 3 long weeks. It was also a game that the Blues should be very proud of. ![]() Matt Duffie: Auckland Blues Position: Wing Tries: 2
2 Comments
Jacob
26/3/2017 10:20:18
Do you think Ihaia West should start next week over Pier Francis? Because man West brought some spark to the team.
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