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Frizell inspires Highlanders win over Blues
By Peter Thompson
Shannon Frizell scored a hat-trick as the Highlanders beat the Blues 34-16 and the Lions halted the Waratahs' four-match winning run in Super Rugby on Friday.
Loose forward Frizell went over twice in the first half and completed a treble after the break, having laid on another try for Kayne Hammington at Eden Park, where the Blues failed to secure a first New Zealand derby win in 15 attempts.
Dillon Hunt took 40 seconds to score the opening try in a fourth consecutive victory for the 2015 champions over the Auckland side - and a 10th in the last 13 meetings - to move level with the second-place Crusaders in the New Zealand Conference.
Aaron Mauger's men wasted no time in taking command, Hunt crossing after charging down Bryn Gatland's attempted clearance and Frizell barging his way over only five minutes in.
Jonathan Ruru's try and two Gatland penalties made it a one-point game, but Frizzell dotted down again in the left corner following an incisive break from Rob Thompson and laid on a score for Hammington - starting with Aaron Smith on the bench - early in the second half.
The excellent Frizell had his third try after good work from Aaron Smith and Ben Smith, and the game was over as a contest by the time Tumua Manu added a second Blues try.
HIGHLANDERS 34 (Hunt, Frizell 3, Hammington tries; Sopoaga 3 cons, pen) BLUES 16 (Ruru, Manu tries; Gatland 2 pens)
In other news: England and All Blacks dispute over Brad Shields may end up in court.
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Latest Comments
Ireland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
Go to commentsFair to say that NZ have come to respect Ireland, as have all teams. But it's a bit click-baitey to say that the game is the premier show-down for NZ.
SA has beaten NZ four times in a row, including in the RWC final.
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