Print

Mail

wiki links

Blues demolish Western Force in Super 14 action

Center Rua Tipoki scored three tries yesterday as the Auckland Blues neutralized the Western Force 39-8 in Super 14 rugby.

Tipoki got one of Auckland's three first half tries, helping it to a 20-3 halftime lead, and two of its three tries in the second spell as it inflicted the worst defeat of the season on the Australian expansion side, which remains winless after nine games.

Auckland's six-try victory earned it a maximum five championship points, lifting it from 10th to seventh place at the start of the competition's crucial 10th round.

There was little suggestion, however, that the star-studded Blues are about to loom into playoff contention as their win came at the expense of a team wrecked by injuries and worn down by travel and repeated losses.

The return to the Auckland backline of All Blacks flyhalf Luke McAlister, sidelined with a broken jaw since the opening round, gave its backplay new direction and sharpness.

McAlister scored Auckland's first try, adding three conversions and a penalty for 14 individual points, and had a guiding hand in two of the three tries scored by Tipoki.

Tipoki's third, in the 11th minute of the second half, gave Auckland a 32-3 lead and seemed to presage a massive Blues victory but the Force defended courageously through the game's last 30 minutes.

They scored a consolation try through fullback Cameron Shepherd five minutes from fulltime then, in a lapse of concentration characteristic of their night and season, allowed Auckland a sixth try as the final hooter sounded.

"It's probably the most disappointing game of the season for us," said Force captain Nathan Sharpe.

"We made a lot of mistakes, let too many kicks bounce in behind the defensive line and missed too many tackles. That's disappointing for us because we pride ourselves on our defense.

"I'm not happy with the intensity we played with. It was hard conditions with a slippery ball but it was hard for Auckland too."

The Force now return home to face the defending champions and competition leaders, the Canterbury Crusaders, in the 11th round.

"That's going to be a huge game for us and we're looking forward to it," Sharpe said. "It will be good to be back playing at home and in front of our own crowd."

Tipoki took full advantage with a hat-trick of tries which showed off his repertoire of skills. He scored the first from a chip kick by McAlister, his second off an intercept break by the flyhalf but the third was all his own, worked from a brilliant burst and sidestep.
This story has been viewed 1309 times.