Sat, Apr 23, 2011 page20

• Blues tame Rebels with six-try blitz

  WORLD OF PAYNE: Despite the final 40-23 score, it was an up-and-down game from the Blues, before last-minute tries from Jared Payne and Luke Braid sealed their victory

  • AFP, AUCKLAND
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  The Auckland Blues continued their run of bonus point victories with a 40-23 win over the Melbourne Rebels to move to the top of the Super 15 table at North Harbour Stadium yesterday.

  However, for the second week in a row they again struggled in the second half after doing their best work in the opening period when they raced to an early 17-3 lead.

  With six minutes remaining the Rebels had fought back to be within striking distance of an upset as they narrowed the margin to five points, trailing 23-28, before the Blues sealed the outcome with two late tries.

  

  The Auckland Blues’ Jared Payne is brought down by Danny Cipriani, obscured, and Hugh Pyle, right, of the Melbourne Rebels during their match at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland yesterday.

  Photo: Reuters

  They are now unbeaten since the second round and their fifth bonus-point win from nine games moved them from third to first ahead of the Queensland Reds and the Canterbury Crusaders, who still have to play this weekend.

  However, despite being firmly cemented among the leading teams, Blues captain Keven Mealamu acknowledged the up-and-down performance against the Rebels underscored how his side were not on top of their game for the full 80 minutes.

  “Our execution wasn’t sharp enough,” he said. “In games like this you’ve got to build pressure and with those little errors we turned the ball over to them. We promise we will get better.”

  Boosted by the return of Ali Williams and Tony Woodcock, the Blues stunned the Rebels with a lightning start, which resulted in Rene Ranger making a mockery of their defense in a charge down the left flank to score.

  Before the game was 20 minutes old the Blues were out to a 17-3 lead with a second try to Ranger and one down the right wing to Joe Rokocoko, making it look like a runaway win was on the cards.

  However, the Rebels recovered from the onslaught to strike back with two tries in five minutes by wings Cooper Vuna and Lachlan Mitchell, while two penalties by Stephen Brett kept the Blues in front 23-17 at half-time.

  Benson Stanley secured the bonus point with an individual piece of work early in the second half when he ripped the ball off Danny Cipriani and raced 50m to the line.

  The Blues cause was not helped by Brett having an off night with the boot, succeeding with just three of his shots at goal, and the Rebels were able to close the gap when they took control in the middle of the second half.

  Although they were unable to score tries, the points came through two penalties by Cipriani to come within five points.

  However, the Rebels’ quest for an upset win was turned on its head as the Blues regained their cohesion, which resulted in tries to Jared Payne and Luke Braid in the closing minutes.
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