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Force claim first New Zealand win

Wallaby Matt Giteau inspired the Western Force to their first ever victory on New Zealand soil with a surprise 27-17 Super 14 victory over the Auckland Blues yesterday.

The Blues, with three victories from their first four matches, were expected to beat the fast improving Force, although the loss of their key play-maker Nick Evans midway through the first spell was a telling blow.

After going into the break with a 17-7 lead, the Blues gradually lost the ascendancy as the Force clawed their way back into the match with 20 unanswered second half points.

Giteau contributed 12 points with the boot and brilliantly organized the backline.

The Blues made the most of their early dominance of possession with a try to Tony Woodcock who barged his way over for a converted try.

Full-back Cameron Shepherd answered for the Force 14 minutes later, evading three tackles.

The loss of flyhalf Evans with a jaw injury midway through the spell and the brief loss of halfback Danny Lee to the blood bin appeared to unsettle the Blues as they rejigged their backline.

But they refound their shape in the last five minutes with fullback Ben Atiga kicking a penalty, and winger Anthony Tuitavake touching down for a converted try to give the Blues a 10-point lead in the dying minutes of the first spell.

The Blues started the second half with a greater sense of urgency than their opponents but the loss of playmaker Evans gradually took its toll.

Relentless pressure by the Force was rewarded when Giteau threw a long cut out pass to No.8 Richard Brown for a crucial try in the 62nd minute.

Victory seemed all but assured for the Force after 69 minutes with a try to Tamaiti Horua, who found a gap in the flagging Blues defense.

Meanwhile, in other Super 14 matches yesterday, Queensland Reds beat fading champions Northern Bulls of South Africa 40-8 and the Canterbury Crusaders showed their strength in depth by making sweeping changes but still beating the Central Cheetahs 55-7.
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