Blues 50 v Cheetahs 26

The Match:

Despite the 24 point victory margin, this match was a lot closer than many expected - two late tries to the Blues blowing the margin out.  The Cheetahs were a far better outfit, despite being primarily no names (the Biltong Boys version of the Hurricanes) than the rest of the Republic sides on display at the weekend.  They actually give the ball a bit of air and have a go at the opposition, not the set piece to set piece meandering that seems to be in vogue (or tires to be) with the other Boer sides.  So big ups to the Cheetahs, of the games I have seen this season the best one to watch of the Boers.

The Blues would have been disappointed with themselves letting in four tries.  Despite scoring 50 points themselves, the other side of the ledger is what most of the players would have looked at I am sure - conceding 26 hurts in any teams books.  The tries were from some lapses in concentration primarily, coupled with the Cheetahs 'having a go'.  Expect a lot tighter defence from the Blues when the take on the unbeaten Sharks next weekend.

The Blues forwards again paved the way for the win, with some sublime support play and massive defence close in - Mealamu leading the way here, his tackling this year has been ferocious and offensive, especially if you are on the receiving end of one of his specials.  The Blues seem to have found a magic formula for defence in close, and are hitting and driving back opposing teams constantly.  They are winning the contact situations in the match, with or without the ball, and that is almost game over once that happens.  Get the upper hand physically, and then the superior skills can really shine, and that is what is happening at the moment with the Blues.  Very important when playing against the Boers, who pride themselves on the physical more than anything.  Take that away from them, and they are then left with trying to beat you with the skills, and without trying to sound arrogant, the Kiwi teams are more skilled than most.

Anyway, the Blues again too powerful upfront, and too skilled out wide.  The backline, with Evans driving the show looking slicker than John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.  Their set piece tries a joy to watch, and their counter attacks pretty slick too.  The backline, to a man seem to posses acceleration over the first few metres that put them through the tacklers and into open space that few other teams have.  Toeava's first try being a case in point.  He went through a seemingly innocuous gap, and then just kept accelerating away from the defenders to score a ridiculously easy looking try.  Benson Stanley another with the octane injection system, a midfield with this type of off the mark speed is dangerous, which three sides have found so far this season!

The Players:

Again, from 1 through to 22, not a dud game was put in by anyone.  I must be a joy to be coaching a team that looks so hungry and is so clearly enjoying their rugby - with all the R&R All Blacks back playing and fresh, Nucifora's job is easy at the moment!

Anyway, upfront again strong as a strong thing, Mealamu, while not carrying the ball as effectively as he was last season (yet I am sure), his defence has become lethal.  Starting with his picking on Sione Lauaki when the Blues outlasted the Chiefs in round one, to his blockbusting tackles around the fringes this week.  His tackling, along with the Blues side as a whole has been lethal.  His propping partners Woodcock and Afoa again in the thick of things, Afoa putting up a good argument to be included in the early All Black squads this season, and Woody doing rather well with his 50 odd minutes on the field before being subbed for veteran Nick White.  Good effort from Woodcock, who was crook with food poisoning to last as long as he did.  The only black mark for the front row was the tighthead they lost (kicked through from Nick White if I recall), that led to a Cheetah try.

The second row again, Flavell and Haiu superb once again.  They obviously have the power at scrum time, but it is like playing two extra six men around the park.  These blokes are mobile with a capital 'M'.  While they may lack the height of the real monsters in the second row, they are more than making up for it in other areas.  Also with the tall loose trio that the Blues are running with at the moment, it does not really matter that much - there are five lineout options to use, so plain and simple, throw it to where the opposing tall timber are not.  Not rocket science!!

The loose trio, again huge game from Nick 'the human bulldozer' Williams.  The depth of number eights in New Zealand rugby at the moment is enough to drown most nations.  You know it is going pretty well when you have World Cup squad member Lauaki ranked 5th of the five starting 8s in ZN at the moment (on the bartometre).  Jerome Kaino a little quieter this week, but still doing his job as he should and excelling - having a real battle with Collins to be the premier six in New Zealand.  Then you have veteran Justin Collins excelling, having an extended run back at his position from early days, open side flanker.  With the new ELVs taking away the vital-ness of having a ground hog seven that makes the tackle and then scrabbles for the ball immediately (the game is too fast for that), he is as effective as he was when he was a young buck again!!

Danny Lee continues to enjoy the Rolls Royce ride that his forwrad pack is giving him.  Almost looking All Black like, however, with his age probably the only real barrier, don't expect a recall.  He is playing as well as any other Kiwi halfback though, and his outsides enjoying the top service he provides.

Nick Evans, Benson Stanley, Isaia Toeava.  This trio currently the heart of the Blues backine, cutting their merry capers with their angled running and slight of hands, and as mentioned above, their express acceleration.  Stanley looking more and more like an All Black as each game progresses.  Too young, too soon?  Hell no, if you are good enough it is not too soon, and you are not too young.  His time is now.  Toeava playing regular rugby in the same position is looking a champion too.  Lets hope he does not have to ship back to fullback this week for the injured Nacewa.  The less disruption the better for the Blues backline, so drop Atiga straight into the 15, and leave the rest of the backline as it is, please!

The back three were flash again, relishing the ball from the inside backs, none more so than Rokocoko, who is at last showing some form in Super rugby.  Three tries this week, and looking full of running, enjoying himself.  Wulf and Nacewa, and when he came on, Tuitavake, all lethal too.  And waiting in the wings (ha), the potentially pretty lethal David Smith.  Hell, imagine him with the backline running like it is at the moment, in fact any class winger would give his left testy at the moment to be playing with this Blues outfit!

The Cheetahs:

No names, but Juan Smith the flanker in this outfit, but they looked to me the most adventurous and attacking of the Boer sides.  I hope they can pick up a win or three playing this brand of rugby.  If they can crack a few wins, especially against the other Biltong Biters, than maybe we will see a change in Boer rugby, that would be nice..

The Result:

Blues 50:  (Joe Rokocoko 3, Isaia Toeava 2, Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake tries; Nick Evans pen, 6 con).

Cheetahs 26:   (Gavin Passens, JW Jonker, Heinrich Brussow, Kabamba Floors tries; Conrad Barnard 2 con, Meyer Bosman con).

Halftime: Blues 21-12.