Match Details

Blues (NZ)

VS

Cheetahs (SA)

26

Auckland Kick off times: 7:35pm (Local) Fri 6 Apr 5:35pm (AEST) Fri 6 Apr

8

A magnificent Blues end-to-end try after 49 minutes shattered the Cheetahs bold defensive game and they went down to the Super 14 leaders 26-8 at Eden Park.

The breakthrough try after some sterling defensive play from both sides, came from a Cheetahs lineout on the Blues line. The throw was too long and was taken by flanker Daniel Braid.

He immediately flung a pass to flyhalf Ica Nacewa who found centre Isaia Toeava outside him. Toeava maintained the class he has demonstrated in the position this year by breaking the defence and then linking back inside to the supporting Braid.

He then quickly passed to fullback Ben Atiga who got the ball to left wing Anthony Tuitavake who hared down the sideline to complete a superb try.

Nacewa's sideline conversion brought the deserved extra points as the Blues repaid the 22,000 strong for their Good Friday support by getting out to a 26-3 lead.

The game had been a turgid affair, pock-marked by penalties and Blues inflicted turnovers on the Cheetahs,

The Blues occasionally were able to breach the solid Cheetahs defence, for two first-half tries, and Tuitavake's second half special to make the most of their chances.

The Cheetahs lacked the flair and initiative to take advantage of the few opportunities that came their way. Too often, bad handling let the side down as well, especially in the final quarter when fatigue was clearly a factor. They did secure a try from a lineout drive, to replacement Ryno van der Merwe on fulltime.

Lock Ali Williams made a powerful start for the Blues, and it proved inspirational as the side was put to a tough physical test. Some hard tackles, some useful runs with the ball in hand and some competitive lineout work against Corniel van Zyl marked an outstanding effort for the Blues.

The home side maintained their attacking approach from the outset and it produced the opening try when Toeava beat the tackle attempt of wing Eddie Fredericks, raced down the sideline and fed a long pass back infield where halfback Steve Devine was perfectly placed to score.

Penalty goals were then exchanged by Herkie Kruger, the Cheetahs No.10, and Nacewa.

The Blues then took up camp in the Cheetahs 22, but solid defence from the big Cheetahs pack withstood several charging attempts towards the line. The Blues mounted one superb move through their backs, moving the ball wide with inside centre Sam Tuitupou in-passing to a flying Tuitavake.

He raced into space and managed to get a pass to right wing Doug Howlett but the pass was ruled forward.

The Cheetahs eventually escaped their own line, but despite opportunities to put the Blues under pressure, they lacked the swiftness of hand, support and thought to pressure the home team.

But it was the Blues, courtesy of another of their backline moves who scored next.

Nacewa slipped a short pass to Toeava, who then fired the inpass to Tuitavake bursting through at speed again. The defence was lacking this time and he fired a pass for Howlett to score the try after 37 minutes. It was his 59th Super try in his 100th Super game.

Blues 26

Tries: Devine, Howlett, Tuitavake

Con: Nacewa

Pen: Nacewa 3

Cheetahs 8

Try: Van der Merwe

Pen: Kruger

HT: 16-3.

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