/ 16 February 2008

Blues strike late to see off tiring Chiefs

The Blues scored three second-half tries to beat New Zealand rivals the Chiefs 32-14 in an entertaining Super 14 match in Auckland on Saturday.

Lock Troy Flavell, winger Joe Rokocoko and replacement Ben Atiga took advantage of the tiring Waikato defence to cross the line after the Chiefs had led 11-8 at the interval in the teams’ opening game of the season.

”I was really pleased with the guys in the second half,” captain Flavell said in a televised interview.

”We were a bit tighter and able to execute our game plan a bit more. It was a good hit-out for us.”

Blues scrumhalf Danny Lee burrowed over the line to claim the first try of the match but two Stephen Donald penalties put the Chiefs ahead and All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina crossed in the left corner just before halftime to consolidate the visitors’ lead.

The Auckland pack gradually took control, however, and Flavell finished off a flowing move down the left by cleverly diving on a loose ball.

Flyhalf Nick Evans pinned the Chiefs back with a series of booming kicks and Rokocoko scythed through the Waikato defence to touch down under the posts.

Atiga then made the most of an inspired break by fullback Isa Nacewa to claim the Blues’ fourth try and seal a convincing victory before last year’s semifinalists head to South Africa for their next three matches. – Reuters