Feb 24 (Reuters) – Auckland Blues’ new recruit Piri
Weepu missed a potential match-winning drop goal after the final
whistle and the Canterbury Crusaders held on to beat the home
side 19-18 in their Super Rugby clash at Eden Park on Friday.
Four months after New Zealand captain Richie McCaw lifted
the Webb Ellis trophy on the same ground, 13 World Cup winning
All Blacks were included in the squads for the opening game of
the 2012 Super Rugby competition.
Despite the numerous World Cup winners on show the match was
punctuated by sloppy handling, poor tackling and a shaky Blues
lineout, though it still provided sweeping movements from both
sides that brought the crowd of more than 30,000 to full voice.
“We were pretty lucky to get away with it,” Crusaders
captain Kieran Read said. “There was real intensity out there
and for a first hit out, it was really outstanding.
“We managed to put a bit of pressure down their end of the
field which got us a few penalties and that’s great.”
The Crusaders’ forwards slowly ground down the Blues’ pack
and kept them in the Auckland half for much of the second spell
until the final minute when Weepu’s drop goal attempt was
partially charged and fluttered wide.
Crusaders rookie flyhalf Tyler Bleyendaal, who stepped into
the gap left by injured All Blacks pivot Dan Carter, looked
comfortable with the step up from provincial rugby and slotted
14 points by converting Robbie Fruean’s first half try and
addding four penalties.
Blues loose forward Chris Lowrey and winger David Raikuna
scored early tries while flyhalf Michael Hobbs kicked two
penalties and a conversion.
“Games like this between the Blues and Crusaders come down
to inches and that’s what happened,” Blues captain Keven Mealamu
said.
Continued…
