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)
June 24th, 2011 at 10:55 SAST
That’s the ball game. Blues will win this. Tahs looked out of it the last period.
June 24th, 2011 at 10:56 SAST
Blues 23 / 8
June 24th, 2011 at 10:58 SAST
@ 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.
June 24th, 2011 at 10:58 SAST
13 minutes left… 15 points difference
June 24th, 2011 at 10:58 SAST
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
June 24th, 2011 at 10:59 SAST
think its game over for the Tahs!!!!!! Blues v Stormers next week
June 24th, 2011 at 11:00 SAST
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?
June 24th, 2011 at 11:01 SAST
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.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:01 SAST
hellooooooooo trips!!
June 24th, 2011 at 11:02 SAST
55@ Tripples:
Hehehe
June 24th, 2011 at 11:06 SAST
@ grootblousmile:57 – OldG will know better than me. Think around 22 million. Not sure.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:06 SAST
Replacements now coming thick and fast, both sides
June 24th, 2011 at 11:06 SAST
@ grootblousmile:
Aus population: 22.4m, and growing by the minute.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:07 SAST
@ Tripples:
From your lips to the Big man’s ears
June 24th, 2011 at 11:07 SAST
Try Lachie Turner for the Tahs
June 24th, 2011 at 11:07 SAST
Try to Turner. Too late????
June 24th, 2011 at 11:08 SAST
Blues 23 / 13
June 24th, 2011 at 11:09 SAST
5 minutes to play.. 10 points in it
June 24th, 2011 at 11:10 SAST
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:58 – OldG, Money talks sometimes. But it also gets to me the loyalty thing. Pity Beale is off to the Rebels. See O’Conner is going there next year as well. After the Force really got him up and running to where he is today too.
That is the professional era for you. No-one is loyal when huge amounts of money is offered I suppose.
Anyhow think Reds have done really well this year. If Blues face them next week. Go the Reds. If it is my Sharks then 100% behind Sharks. Though it will be a massive task for Sharks to win tomorrow.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:10 SAST
@ Puma:
G’day Puma, have you settled back into the mundane after your globetrotting???
June 24th, 2011 at 11:12 SAST
McAlister slots a penalty
Blues 26 / 13
June 24th, 2011 at 11:12 SAST
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:63 – I almost guessed right. About a half million of those are South Africans…….hahaha.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:13 SAST
Seconds left
June 24th, 2011 at 11:14 SAST
Final Score: Blues 26 / Waratahs 13
June 24th, 2011 at 11:15 SAST
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:70 – Unfortunately yes….hehehe. Though it is good to be back.
Overcast today so your meal and wine you having right now, sounds just right for us tonight as well…haha.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:16 SAST
@ Puma:
Hey mate, a big game for you tomorrow night. You’ve got my support, I fancy the sharks for an upset win.
When it comes to player loyalty these days, you and I must be a couple of dinosaurs, living another era.
Congratulations to the Blues on a resounding win and my best wishes to my favourite rugby player: Kevan Mealamu. Have you heard how Kevan saved the life of a wallaby prop a few years back?
June 24th, 2011 at 11:17 SAST
Well done Blues. Sorry OldG about your Tahs. Think my team will also be out after tomorrow. But just hoping like crazy. If we don’t do it both our teams at least done well to get to the play offs.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:18 SAST
Got to go help Father in Law start his car, he’s gone to go fetch Wyeboude’s son, fat boy, from school… now can’t get the Double Cab going…
Cheers!
June 24th, 2011 at 11:19 SAST
@ Old Griquas 14 in Sydney:76 – No never heard that about Kevan. Plenty respect for him now after reading that OldG.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:22 SAST
Okay I am out of here too. Plenty to do today. Catch up later or tomorrow.
Good to catch up again OldG. Enjoy the rest of your eveing mate.
Cheers all.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:23 SAST
@ Puma:80 – typo. evening.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:26 SAST
@ Puma:
puma mate, let me tell you the story, as told by former wallaby prop Ben Darwin.
ABs v Wallabies, scrum called; packed down and engaged; Darwin didnt get his bind right; on engagement, Darwin called the Panic call: May Day. Mealamu pulled his pack back. That moment saved Darwin’s life. He injured vertebrae in his neck and never played another match. He tells the story of how Kevan’s action saved his life.
Marvellous story during the professional era.
June 24th, 2011 at 11:54 SAST
… and suddenly there are only 5 contenders for the title…. after tomorrow morning only 4..
June 24th, 2011 at 12:27 SAST
gbs @ 83
who do you think will not be there this time tomorrow?
June 24th, 2011 at 13:22 SAST
84@ Ashley:
The Tjarkies, unfortunately
June 24th, 2011 at 15:01 SAST
Hello I guess better late than never, well done Blues good to see my mates team getting through to the semi-final. Even more overdue well done Sharks on last weeks win, hope Sharks and Stormers win tomorrow!