Super Rugby

Blues end 10 year losing streak against Sharks

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The Blues ended a 10 year losing streak to the Sharks with a 23-18 victory over the Durban side at Eden Park in Auckland.

The Sharks loss is their third in a row against all teams after losses to the Crusaders and the Lions. Prior to this result the Blues last victory over the Sharks was in April 2005.

The Sharks led for most of the match and both teams scored two tries each and the difference came down to penalty kicks and conversions.

The New Zealanders, fired up after the death of former Blues lock Kurtis Haiu, bounced back from a 10-11 half-time deficit.

Hooker Jamie Parsons said they were playing for Haiu, who played 53 times for the Blues and died at just 31 years old after a battle with bone cancer that forced his retirement from the game in 2011.

“He was a big part of our week… hopefully he looked down and approved,” Parsons said.

The result ended a 10-game losing streak for the Blues against the Sharks dating back to April 2006.

It was a must-win for the Aucklanders, allowing them to stay in touch in the ultra-competitive New Zealand conference.

It was the third consecutive defeat for the Sharks, a major disappointment after a three-win start to the season.

Sharks captain Tendai Mtawarira scored the first try when he darted from the back of a maul and left the Blues’ defence flat footed.

Auckland centre George Moala hit back just before the break, but Paul Jordaan reasserted the Sharks’ dominance just after the restart, outpacing the two Blues defenders.

Blues winger Reiko Ioane made a jinking run through the defence to make it 20-18 with a converted try and an Ihaia West penalty sealed the win.

Next week the Blues have a bye and the Sharks continue their tour of New Zealand with a match against Super Rugby champions the Highlanders in Dunedin and then the Chiefs in Hamilton.

Final Score Blues 23 (10) Sharks 18 (11)

Scorers

Blues
Tries -G.Moala ,R.Ioane
Pen – I.West 3
Con – I.West 2
Drop –
Cards –

Sharks
Tries – T.Mtawarira, P.Jordaan
Pen – J.Petersen 2
Con – J.Petersen
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Craig Joubert
Assistant Ref 2:Paul Williams
TMO : Ben Skeen

Teams

Blues

Lolagi Visinia, Rieko Ioane, Rene Ranger, Piers Francis, Tevita Li, Ihaia West, Bryn Hall; Steven Luatua, Tanerau Latimer or Kara Pryor, Jerome Kaino, Josh Bekhuis, Hoani Matenga, Charlie Faumuina, James Parsons (c), Sam Prattley.

Replacements : Quentin MacDonald, Namatahi Waa, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Kara Pryor or Joe Edwards, Akira Ioane, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, George Moala.

Sharks

15. Willie le Roux , 14. JP Pietersen , 13. Paul Jordaan , 12. Andre Esterhuizen , 11. Lwazi Mvovo , 10. Joe Pietersen , 9. Cobus Reinach , 8. Philip van der Walt , 7. Jean-Luc du Preez , 6. Daniel du Preez , 5. Stephan Lewies , 4. Etienne Oosthuizen , 3. Lourens Adriaanse , 2. Franco Marais , 1. Tendai Mtawarira (C)

Replacements : 16. Kyle Cooper , 17. Thomas du Toit , 18. Coenie Oosthuizen , 19. Hyron Andrews , 20. Keegan Daniel , 21. Michael Claassens , 22. Garth April , 23. Odwa Ndungane

 

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