Hurricanes vs Blues

[munross]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Even though the Blues are just four points behind the Hurricanes on 30 points a loss this weekend will almost certainly end their play off hopes.

Given all of the upsets in recent weeks there is probably a formula that he have not considered that will allow them in the back door so we won't rule them out completely if they lose this weekend.


Last five results
2008 Blues won 17-19 in Auckland
2007 Hurricanes won 23-22 in Wellington
2006 Hurricanes won 37-19 in Auckland
2005 Hurricanes won 22-10 in Auckland
Head-to-Head: Played 13, Blues 9, Hurricanes 3, Drawn 1
In Wellington: Played 5, Blues 3, Hurricanes 1, Drawn 1
Last season: Round 14, May 16 2008: Blues 19-17 Hurricanes at Eden



Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off. The match is underway.

2.00: The Blues get the first chance to score some points so former Hurricane Jimmy Gopperth gets a "warm welcome" from the home crowd as he slots a penalty.

4.00: The Hurricanes get a lineout in the Blues 25, they swing the ball out to the line and Conrad Smith busts through the misfiring Blues defence and scores the first try.

5.00: Willie Ripia slots the conversion.

900: The Blues work the ball into the Hurricanes 25. They comes to within 5m but then the Hurricanes give away a penalty so Jimmy Gopperth takes a shot at posts.

10.00: The ball shaves the front of the posts and misses.

13.00: The Hurricanes recycle the ball through the phases, David Smith gets the ball on the wing and sends in Scott Waldrom for the second try.

14.00: Willie Ripia slots the conversion.

16.00: Tamati Ellison chips the ball up and over a ruck, he chases the ball, gets the luck of the bounce and finds himself in open space so he runs in the try. Ali Williams of the Blues pulls up with an injury.

17.00:Willie Ripia takes the conversion and slots it.

18.00: Peter Saili comes on for Ali Williams.

19.00: Rudi Wulf immediately opens up the Hurricanes defence and sends in Joe Rokocoko for the Blues first try. They needed that.

20.00: Jimmy Gopperth misses the conversion.

21.00: Well it's ALL happening here folks. The Blues score from the kick off a minute ago and the Hurricanes fire straight back as Ma'a Nonu busts through the Blues defence to score the bonus point try.

22.00: Willie Ripia slots the conversion.

27.00: Well it's a high paced game and its all going the way of the Hurricanes as the Blues defence allows Tamati Ellison to score his second try of the match. That's the sixth try of the match. Sean Fitzpatrick would hate this. ;-)

28.00: Willie Ripia slots the conversion.

34.00: The Blues are not giving up as they work the ball into the Hurricanes 25 with determination. They drive over the line but cant get the ball down.

36.00: Anthony Tuitavake gets tackled by David Smith and Nonu but gets up after the first (half of a) tackle and dots down the ball for the Blues second try.

37.00: Jimmy Gopperth again shaves the front of the posts with the conversion.

39.00: Keven Mealamu gets bent over backwards in the tackle so he gets some medical attention but gets back up.

40.05: The siren goes for half time. The Blues keep the ball alive and send it out to the backs. The ball gets lost forward so it's half time.

The half time score is Hurricanes 35 Blues 13

The second half is underway.

42.00: Isaia Toeava gets the ball on the fly, he shows some great acceleration and swings the long ball out to Rene Ranger on the wing who scores the Blues third try.

43.00: Jimmy Gopperth slots the conversion.


The score after 44 minutes is Hurricanes 35 Blues 20

Scorers

Hurricanes
Tries -C.Smith, Waldrom, Ellison 2, Nonu
Penalties -
Conversions -Willie Ripia 5
Drop Goals -

Blues
Tries -Joe Rokocoko, Anthony Tuitavake, Rene Ranger
Penalties -Jimmy Gopperth
Conversions -Jimmy Gopperth
Drop Goals -

Match Officials
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant Refs: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Assessor: Wayne Erickson (Australia)

Teams

Hurricanes: John Schwalger, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata, Jeremy Thrush, Jason Eaton, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, Rodney So'oialo, Alby Mathewson, William Ripia, David Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Zac Guildford, Tamati Ellison.
Replacements Ged Robinson, Jacob Ellison, Bryn Evans, Api Naikatini, Piri Weepu, Jason Kawau, Robert Fruean.

Blues: Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Tevita Mailau, Jay Williams, Ali Williams, Kurtis Haiu, Tom Chamberlain, Jerome Kaino, Taniela Moa, Jimmy Gopperth, Joe Rokocoko, Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, Rene Ranger, Rudi Wulf.
Replacements Tom McCartney, Charlie Faumuina, Dean Budd, Peter Saili, Grayson Hart, Michael Hobbs, Paul Williams.[/b]

Hurricanes started off with a flyer but the Blues are doing well to get back into the game, the score after 46 minutes is Hurricanes 35 - Blues 20.

 

[munross]

Score still Hurricanes 35 - Blues 20 after 53 minutes.

 

[munross]

Nonu scores in the 57th minute, Ripia converts

The score after 64 minutes is Hurricanes 42 Blues 20, must be the end for the Blues now.

 

[munross]

Blues did well to get the 4th try bonus point in the end there.

Final Score Hurricanes 45 Blues 27

 

[candybum]

The blues defense is just crap. Their error count is crap too.

I'm blaming it on the injuries and that they're not playing their top line-up yup!

 

[Flux]

The Blues defence was appalling. All of the Hurricanes' tries were basically down to poor defence. Still, I'm not complaining. Two more matches like that for the Hurricanes and it's top of the table and a home semi. Here's hoping.

 

[William18]

Terrible defence from both teams and I think we were very poor. The Blues still had 9 past/present all blacks and were just terrible. That was some of the worst tackling that I have ever seen. The Blues were just disorganised and I would say Pat Lam hasn't done a good job with the team.

 

[kaftka]

Went to this game. Bloody amazingly drunken first 40 minutes... Was down the scoring end so loads of action.... Don't remember the second half at all.. Don't need to. Fantastico.