Matt Duffie scored a brace as the Blues thumped the Bulls 38-14 in Albany on Saturday. JON CARDINELLI reports.
The Bulls came into this contest on the back of losses to the Stormers and Cheetahs, as well as an unconvincing win against the Sunwolves. Based on those results, few would have backed them to end a four-year drought in New Zealand.
That said, the Bulls will lament their limp and largely rudderless performance. They troubled the Blues at the set pieces. The hosts took some poor decisions – especially in the first half – and were guilty of dropping the ball at crucial times.
But the Bulls played their part in what was an error-strewn contest. Their ball security at the breakdown was shocking. Their fielding of the high ball, their passing, and their defence also left a lot to be desired.
The scoreboard read 7-7 at half-time. The Blues attempted to play the game at a frantic pace in those first 40 minutes. While the hosts lost the set-piece battles, they succeeded in rattling the Bulls at the breakdowns and collisions.
Tana Umaga's side moved up a gear in the second stanza. After a sustained period of attack in the Bulls' 22, Michael Collins offloaded to Duffie, who handed off opposite number Jamba Ulengo en route to the tryline. Nine minutes later, Duffie claimed his second score after soaring to collect a kick-pass by Piers Francis.
The visitors were handed an opportunity to hit back in the 59th minute. Jimmy Tupou was yellow-carded for a neck roll on Jesse Kriel. The Blues were forced to compete with 14 men for the next 10 minutes.
Yet it was the short-handed side that scored next through replacement flyhalf Ihaia West. The Bulls forwards looked to be out of puff at that stage. The defenders in the backline sat on their heels and never looked like stopping West from crossing the line.
The Blues scored again through Matt Moulds and Melani Nanai to finish the evening with a tally of six tries. The Bulls scored a second try at the death, when Rudy Paige tapped quickly and dived for the line.
The worst may be yet to come for the battling Bulls. They will travel to Hamilton to play the Chiefs – the form side in this year's tournament – in round six.
Blues – Tries: Augustine Pulu, Matt Duffie (2), Ihaia West, Matt Moulds, Melani Nanai. Conversions: Piers Francis (2), West (2).
Bulls – Tries: Lizo Gqoboka, Rudy Paige. Conversions: Handré Pollard, Tian Schoeman.
Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Ihaia West, 23 TJ Faiane.
Bulls – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Travis Ismaiel, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Jamba Ulengo, 10 Handré Pollard (c), 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Hanro Liebenberg, 7 Nick de Jager, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Lizo Gqoboka.
Subs: 16 Jaco Visagie, 17 Pierre Schoeman, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Rudy Paige, 21 Tian Schoeman, 22 Burger Odendaal, 23 John-Roy Jenkinson.
Photo: Renee McKay/Getty Images
