This was a live score update
Preview
How quickly the tide can turn. Less than a month ago the Blues sat pretty at the top of the table with eight wins from nine starts and looking red hot favourites to win the tournament, let alone getting into the play-offs.
But the past three weeks saw them being derailed by three South African franchises, all of whom have showed up their vulnerability to a physical, in-your-face approach.
Now they are suddenly in a “must win” situation, facing a team just as desperate as they are for victory.
The only real question is: “Can the Blues stop this amazing slide?”
Coach David Nucifora is well aware of the permutations facing the team.
“We are aware, more than anybody, how important this match is for us,” Nucifora said of his team’s outing in Perth.
“We have trained well this week and are very focused on delivering a winning performance on Friday. That is all that we can control in this complex race for semi-final positions.”
But the past three weeks saw them being derailed by three South African franchises, all of whom have showed up their vulnerability to a physical, in-your-face approach.
Now they are suddenly in a “must win” situation, facing a team just as desperate as they are for victory.
The only real question is: “Can the Blues stop this amazing slide?”
Coach David Nucifora is well aware of the permutations facing the team.
“We are aware, more than anybody, how important this match is for us,” Nucifora said of his team’s outing in Perth.
“We have trained well this week and are very focused on delivering a winning performance on Friday. That is all that we can control in this complex race for semi-final positions.”
Match detail
Isa Nacewa had the first shot at goal but missed. Luke McAlister then had a long shot at goal and put the Blues into the lead.
In the 15th minute Matt Giteau kicked a penalty for the Force levelling up the scores.
The Blue are putting a lot of pressure on the Force and they are getting penalties in return for the pressure.
Luke McAlister took another penalty for the Blues and just snuck the ball in over the posts.
The Blues then kept the momentum going and created an overlap on the right. Then as the Force expected the Blues to wide Rudi Wulf cut in and dodged a tackle to score the first try of the match.
Luke McAlister slotted the conversion.
Just ahead of half time the Force were given a penalty. Instead of going for the points they went for the try. In the maul they earned another penalty and Flavell got a warning.
This time they opted to take the points. Matt Giteau kicked the penalty and the whistle went for half time.
Half time Score was Force 6 Blues 13
The Blues came out and nearly scored a try in the early minutes of the second half. The TV ref said there was no try.
As there had been no change in the score for about 20 minutes in the second half the Blues brought on Williams and Mealamu.
The Force have a good patch but as they get anywhere the Blues shut them down.
The Blues then surely seal their Semi final place as John Afoa scores the Blues second try. Luke McAlister then converted the try.
Then in a moment of confusion the Blues come up with another ball as the match ball is kicked out and take a quick lineout. As they broke the rules they are able to score a try as Mealamu dives over the line. A full lineout must be taken in this case.
The rules say that if the ball touches the ball boy the lineout must be taken. Referee, Jonathan Kaplan and his touch line judge James Leckie got that one very wrong.
Luke McAlister missed the conversion.
Tony Woodcock secures the bonus point for the Blues as they score the fourth try. The third one should not have been allowed but it was.
Nacewa missed the conversion.
The Blues are in the Semi final.
Report to follow.
Nacewa missed the conversion.
The Blues are in the Semi final.
Report to follow.
Full time Score Force 6 Blues 33
Scorers
Force
Tries
Penalties – Matt Giteau (2)
Conversions
Tries
Penalties – Matt Giteau (2)
Conversions
Blues
Tries -Rudi Wulf, John Afoa,Keven Mealamu
Penalties – Luke McAlister (2)
Conversions – Luke McAlister (2)
Teams:
Force: 15 Drew Mitchell, 14 Scott Staniforth, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Junior Pelesasa, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Matt Henjak, 8 Scott Fava, 7 David Pocock, 6 Luke Doherty, 5 Nathan Sharpe (c), 4 Rudi Vedelago, 3 Troy Takiari, 2 Tai McIsaac, 1 Gareth Hardy
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes 17 AJ Whalley 18 David Pusey/Matt Hodgson 19 Richard Brown 20 Chris O’Young 21 James Hilgendorf 22 Haig Sare
Blues: 15 George Pisi, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 Steve Devine, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 John Afoa, 2 Derren Witcombe, 1 Tony Woodcock
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Nick White, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Taniela Moa, 21 Ben Atiga, 22 Anthony Tuitavake
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Touch judges: Deon van Blommestein (South Africa), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Assessor: Ian Scotney, Tony Dunlop
