Blues hand Bulls their first defeat of 2010

The Blues handed the Bulls their first defeat of the 2010 season when they beat the Bulls 32-17 at Eden Park ending a run of 12 victories for the Bulls.

 

The Bulls were unbeaten in six matches this season, in addition to a six-match streak on the way to the Super 14 title last year.

 

The Pretoria-based team have never beaten the Blues in Auckland in 14 years and lost the chance Saturday to equal the Crusaders' record of 13 straight Super rugby wins.

 

The Bulls who were outplayed in just about every facet of the game scored the first points of the match with a penalty by Morne Steyn but the Blues kept the Bulls under pressure and took the lead back in the 23rd minute.

 

For the Blues Isaia Toeava and Joe Rokocoko scored tries and flyhalf Stephen Brett kicked 22 points.

 

The Blues led 16-11 after a first half in which the lead changed hands five times, but the home side played with more control and authority in the second half.

 

"We knew we had to step our game up to have any chance of winning," Blues captain Keven Mealamu said.

 

"Every single player stepped up tonight and we played some great football."

 

Although the Blues had a huge advantage of possession, their defence- was the crucial element of the victory.

 

They competed superbly at breakdowns and shut down the Bulls' dangerous attacking game.

 

The Blues also forced crucial breakdown turnovers which allowed them to maintain their territorial advantage and keep the Bulls pinned in their own half through most of the match.

 

"They played awesomely. They beat us at the breakdown and they dominated at the contact points," Bulls captain Victor Matfield said.

 

"It was a great game from them but we'll come out next week and we'll win again."

 

No. 8 Pierre Spies scored the first try of Saturday's match stretching out over his head while lying on his back to ground the ball in the 25th minute, giving the Bulls a shortlived 8-6 lead.

 

A try to Toeava close to halftime let the Blues take a 16-11 lead into halftime and they never gave up their advantage.

 

Rokocoko score in the 62nd minute after an unwise decision by the Bulls to take a quick lineout in defence.

 

Brett's kicking allowed the Blues to stay in front through the last 45 minutes of the match.

 

Final Score Blues 32 Bulls 17

Scorers

Blues
Tries - I. Toeava, J Rokocoko
Pen - S Brett 6
Con - S Brett 2
Drop -

Match Officials.
Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)
Assistant referees: Jonathon White (NZ), Matthew Stanish (NZ)
TMO: Ben Skeen (NZ)

Teams

Blues -15. Isaia Toeava, 14. Joe Rokocoko, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Benson Stanley, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Stephen Brett, 9. Alby Mathewson, 8. Viliami Ma’afu, 7. Serge Lilo, 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Anthony Boric, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 3. John Afoa, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Charlie Faumuina

16. Tom McCartney, 17. Tevita Mailau, 18. Filo Paulo, 19. Peter Saili, 20. Chris Smylie, 21. Luke McAlister, 22. Paul Williams

Bulls - 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gerhard van der Heever, 13 Jaco Pretorius, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Dewald Potgieter, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Gary Botha, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.

Reserves: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Bees Roux, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Derick Kuün/Jaco Engels, 20 Jacques-Louis Potgieter, 21 Jaco van der Westhuyzen, 22 Pedrie Wannenburg.