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Blues brothers down struggling Cheetahs
By Alex Fisher
Brothers Rieko and Akira Ioane shared three tries as the Blues ran riot over a beleaguered Cheetahs side at Eden Park on Friday, the hosts winning 50-32.
An early try from Francois Venter gave Cheetahs hope but they could not stop the bombardment from their hosts as they slipped to an eighth successive Super Rugby defeat.
Rieko Ioane levelled things up as Blues ran in 24 points before the break, Scott Scrafton touching down before Akira Ioane added a third try.
Their advantage at the break was six points but after the restart Blues quickly set about extending their lead, the Cheetahs' defence unable to keep them at bay - the visitors missing 24 tackles as they wilted under the pressure.
Twenty one unanswered points - including a second try for Rieko Ioane - put the game out of sight as the Bulls secured a bonus point in their third win in a row.
It was a try fest at @edenpark tonight as our Blues ran in eight tries to 4 #BLUvCHE pic.twitter.com/IsaN6DgnKT
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) May 12, 2017
Friday's second game saw Lions move level with the Crusaders at the top of the table with a hard-fought 13-6 victory over the Brumbies.
The first half was a tactical battle featuring very little scoring, only a penalty from Brumbies fly-half Wharenui Hawera separating the teams at the break.
Buoyed by seven wins on the spin Lions picked up the tempo after the restart and that was enough to claim another victory.
Kwagga's Smith sensational 80-metre break brought the only try of the game after 55 minutes, with Elton Jantjies and Andries Coetzee doing the rest of the scoring with the boot to see them join Crusaders on 46 points - albeit having played a game more.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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