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Blues overpower the Force

Sat, 17 Apr 2010 09:16

His 99th first-class try: Blues wing Joe Rokocoko

The Blues were good value for their 38-17 win over the Western Force in Auckland on Saturday, scoring six tries in an impressive attacking and defensive performance.

Their bonus point takes them to 24 log points, which keeps them in the mix for a run at making the playoffs. It may be a long shot, but if they pick up in the next few weeks from where they left off in this game, they could just squeeze into the semifinals.

After a slow start, the Blues scored three tries in each half, and right wing Joe Rokocoko was at his most lethal as a finisher, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the game and the 99th try of his first-class career.

The Force started well and ended on top too, but looked vulnerable in between and conceded too many tries to be really competitive.

Though they looked ordinary in the first quarter hour and lost focus in the last few minutes, the Blues delivered an excellent performance for much of the game. They won quality possession and their backs looked incisive with ball in hand, scoring six tries, with a few of them spectacular team efforts.

Alby Mathewson was sharp at scrumhalf, as he has been for most of the Super 14, and the return of Luke McAlister to inside centre has given the Blues a direction and leadership in midfield which has not always been there this season.

Having their first-choice front row John Afoa, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock back and firing was a great help too.

The Force gave too much away between their promising start and strong finish. Their defence was shown up a few times and though their loose forward trio was consistently effective, they struggled to exert authority up front. Their inability to finish what they had created on attack cost them dearly as well.

The visitors had two chances to score soon after kick-off but James O'Connor missed a close-range penalty goal attempt and then after Ryan Cross cut the Blues defence, handing off McAlister, his pass close to the goal-line could not find Mark Bartholomeusz on his outside.

But the Force, enjoying a majority of territory and possession, took a 3-0 lead in the ninth minute when the Blues were penalised at a tackle and O'Connor slotted from in front of the posts.

The drizzle was inhibiting the players' skills but incisive attacking runs by Rokocoko and Stephen Brett brought the Blues back into the game and in the 18th minute a long, floating pass from McAlister to Rokocoko saw the right wing score the first try of the game. McAlister's conversion attempt was way off target (5-0).

A penalty attempt by McAlister landed closer to the touchline than the posts, but the Blues scored their second try when an inside pass from Brett found Rokocoko racing through at speed. He scored, McAlister converted and the home team led 12-3 after 27 minutes.

After their slow start to the game, all the momentum was now with the Blues and a sustained handling movement saw McAlister offload to Afoa who set up Woodcock for a try under the posts. McAlister converted and the Blues led 19-3 half an hour into the game.

The Force attacked strongly after Woodcock was penalised for a second time for illegal scrummaging and then the Blues were blown for side entry at a ruck, but the home team's defence held.

The half ended with the Blues deep inside the Force 22 but unable to penetrate.

The Blues secured their bonus-point try early in the second half when from a free kick, Mathewson tapped and ran - and kept on running past ineffectual defenders to score close to touch. McAlister again missed the conversion but the home team led 24-3 after 48 minutes.

Four minutes later Rokocoko scored his third try of the game - and the 99th try of his first-class career - this time just inside the left touchline, set up by a long pass from Brett and short pass from McAlister. This time McAlister's kick was accurate and the Blues led 31-3.

The Force, after holding the initiative for the first quarter hour of the match, were struggling to stay in the game, but there was no lack of determination and effort, with loose forwards Richard Brown, David Pocock and Matt Hodgson leading the fight-back. They bashed away at the Blues goal-line but could not penetrate and the Blues were able to relieve pressure.

It was the Blues who scored next when from a lineout Mathewson's pass found McAlister who set up Rudi Wulf for a strong run at the goal-line. Hodgson made a valiant attempt at holding the ball up off the grass as Wulf tried to ground the ball but on the advice of the TMO, the try was awarded. McAlister converted and the Blues had taken a 38-3 lead with 12 minutes to go.

With two minutes to play, the Force were rewarded for the territorial advantage they had enjoyed in the last quarter of the game when Pocock crossed for their first try. O'Connor converted (38-10).

Then in the last movement of the game came a penalty try for the Force when they attacked strongly and what was probably a try-scoring pass hit a Blues defender, retiring slowly. Referee Keith Brown awarded a penalty try, and O'Connor converted to reduce the final deficit to 38-17.

It was too late, far too late for the visitors, and the home team had recorded a six tries to two victory - a happy day for the Blues after the disappointment of their defeat to the Stormers last week and an unhappy day for the Force, whose revival of fortunes had been summarily halted.

Man of the Match: In an impressive team performance by the Blues, scrumhalf Alby Mathewson and inside centre Luke McAlister showed touches of absolute class while flank Jerome Kaino was consistently effective in his 65 minutes on the field. Force loose forwards Richard Brown, David Pocock and Matt Hodgson were all excellent in defeat. But the Man of the Match must be Joe Rokocoko, now back to his best as a lethal finisher after a disappointing 2009.

The Scorers:

For the Blues:
Tries: Rokocoko 3, Woodcock, Mathewson, Wulf
Cons: McAlister 4

For the Western Force:
Tries: Pocock, penalty try
Cons: O'Connor 2
Pen: O'Connor

Teams:

Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Andrew Van Der Heijden, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Rene Ranger, 22 Paul Williams.

Western Force: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Mark Bartholomeusz, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Ryan Cross, 11 Cameron Shepherd, 10 David Hill, 9 Chris O'Young, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe (captain), 4 Tom Hockings, 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Ben Whittaker, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Sam Wykes, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Justin Turner, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Nick Cummins.

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

By Len Kaplan

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