Blues stay on the winning track
Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:41
The Ali Williams injury aside, the Blues continued their impressive Super 14 pre-season run with a 31-21 win over the Chiefs at the North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Friday.
The Blues outscored the Chiefs by five tries to three to secure the win - to go with their 19-17 victory over the Hurricanes last week.
For the Blues the game could not have had a worse start - as the veteran All Black and Blues lock, Williams, had his attempt at a comeback from serious injury setbacks in 2009 interrupted after just four minutes.
The Blues medical staff confirmed that Williams ruptured his Achilles tendon and has been ruled out for the entire Super 14 season. He will be sidelined for at least six months and the 28-year-old second row forward may even be sidelined for the entire year.
However, the rest of his teammates, including captain Kevin Mealamu in his comeback from a serious pectoral muscle injury in 2009, got in some valuable game time in Albany.
The Blues looked the more enterprising of the two teams with the ball, as they continued the impressive form they showed in Mangatainoka last week.
Imported playmakers Stephen Brett and Alby Mathewson got the backline humming at times as the pack provided them with some good possession in a torrid battle in the heat.
But the Blues had major problems away from the action with their engine room severely dented.
Apart from Williams' early departure, lively prop Charlie Faumuina left clutching his ribs in the second half.
The Chiefs are left to contemplate two losses following last week's narrow defeat against the Highlanders.
But there was enough endeavour and multiple phases for coaching staff to be reasonably happy.
The scorers:
For the Blues:
Tries: Williams 2, Faumuina, Pisi, Wulf
Cons: Brett 2, Harris
For the Chiefs:
Tries:
Nanai-Williams, De Malmanche, Messam
Cons: Bruce, Delaney, Donald
Teams:
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Peter Saili, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 John Afoa.
Replacements - from: Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Chris Smylie, Dan Kirkpatrick, George Pisi, Tom Chamberlain, Paul Williams, Rudi Wulf.
Chiefs: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Jackson Willison, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki (captain), 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Nathan White, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements - from: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Afeaki, James
McGougan, Kevin O'Neill, Romana Graham, Liam Messam, Jack Lam, Junior Poluleuligaga, Phil Burleigh, Trent Renata, Siale Piutau.
Referee: Jonathan White
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