– This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission
The Blues show rolls on, their Super Rugby Pacific win streak up to eight after a less than convincing bonus-point victory in their historic match against competition newcomers the Fijian Drua.
The Blues were a long way off the level they had exhibited over the previous fortnight in dispatching the Fijians in the early Saturday clash in Melbourne, after sending out a starting XV featuring nine changes to that which set the table for last round’s drought-breaking 27-23 victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Leon MacDonald’s men never really found the fluency and accuracy that marked their notable wins at the Chiefs and Crusaders previous, muddled through a messy first half (they led just 21-10 at the break) and were not much better over the second 40 as they banked a five tries to two victory that won’t live long in the memory.
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The success improves the Blues to a competition-best 8-1, and 36 points, while the Drua have now lost eight of their nine matches in this debut season of Super Rugby. They are, quite simply, a lot better than those numbers suggest and if Saturday night is anything to go by, they have the makings of an outfit that can make some serious noise in this competition before too long.
The Blues, after the intensity of the all-Kiwi battles hitherto, were well short of their own high standards. They struggled to string together the phases and to apply pressure to a Drua outfit who outplayed them for long periods of this clash.
Rieko Ioane and AJ Lam were the standout Blues backs, and young lock Sam Darry would have been pleased with his effort. The Drua were excellent, with Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, Kalaveti Ravouvou nd Onisi Ratave dangerous on the run, and their pack muscling up excellently to meet the Blues in the physical battle.
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It wasn’t the most fluent of opening halves by the Blues as they scored three tries to one, but had plenty of anxious moments against a Drua outfit who brought plenty to the occasion. Wing Lam (a 60m dash from a sloppy Drua pass), lock Darry (via a lineout he won and some snappy play off it) and prop Marcel Renata (over the top at a ruck on the line) crossed for the Kiwis, with hooker Mesulame Dolokoto finishing a ripper move down the right touchline for the Fijians early on.
The competition leaders were just too hurried, too impatient through the opening half, and were no better over the run home, with only Rieko Ioane’s intercept dash and Lam’s second score, off a powerful run on set move off the lineout, to show for their efforts. Ratave doubled the Drua’s try haul with a dazzling power run to the line.
Big moment
Rieko Ioane’s intercept try 11 minutes into the second spell. The Drua were well in it at this stage, trailing 21-13 and attacking with ball in hand. But you have to watch your passing accuracy when Ioane is lurking and Simione Kuruvoli paid the price when he saw the Blues speedster swoop on his loose transfer and dash 70 metres for the 28-13 lead.
Match rating: 6/10
Credit to the Drua. They hung in this contest well, brought plenty to the occasion and mixed their trademark adventurous play with some more pragmatic stuff to really trouble the competition pacesetters. The Blues would not be happy with their part in proceedings. They had to absorb a lot of pressure from a side they should have dispatched with ease.
The big picture
The Blues will have set themselves the goal of running the table in these trans-Tasman clashes, which should sew up the minor premiership, and that all-important home playoff advantage. One down five to go now. Next up are the Force in Perth next Friday, with the Auks set to bring back a swag of fresh types for that clash. The Drua host the Highlanders next Saturday in their first match in Suva, and will fancy their chances of an upset.
MVP
Blues wing Lam had a try and 95 metres on the run in the first half, and another 5-pointer in the second to have himself some sort of a day out. In a side short of standouts, he was excellent.
Blues 35 (AJ Lam 2 tries 5min, 65min Sam Darry try 20min, Marcel Renata try 37min, Rieko Ioane try 51min; Beauden Barrett 5 con) Drua 18 (Mesulame Dolokoto try 8min, Onisi Ratave try 58min; Simione Kuruvoli 2 pen, con). HT: 21-10.
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