Blues give Kirwan winning Super start
Source: Agencies |
February 24, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JOHN Kirwan's reign as Auckland Blues coach got off to a winning start with a deserved 34-20 bonus point victory over the Wellington Hurricanes in their Super Rugby opener in the New Zealand capital yesterday.
The former All Black great and Italy coach has been charged with reviving the fortunes of the three-time champions and there was much to please him about his team's performance at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Debutante winger Frank Halai scored two tries and was also involved in a controversial penalty try for the Hurricanes, for whom winger Julian Savea also crossed to help it to a 13-11 halftime lead.
The penalty try came in the 55th minute when Halai, chasing Beauden Barrett's through kick and under pressure from Savea, was adjudged to have deliberately knocked the ball dead.
The decision, made by the video referee, put the Hurricanes back in front at 20-16 and earned Halai a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin.
The Blues responded by narrowing the lead through scrumhalf Piri Weepu's third penalty and scored 18 unanswered points to claim the victory.
"All we ask is for these guys to be themselves and that's what's starting to happen, we're working together as a team not as individuals," said Blues skipper Ali Williams.
Elsewhere, it was: Queensland 25, New South Wales 17.
The former All Black great and Italy coach has been charged with reviving the fortunes of the three-time champions and there was much to please him about his team's performance at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Debutante winger Frank Halai scored two tries and was also involved in a controversial penalty try for the Hurricanes, for whom winger Julian Savea also crossed to help it to a 13-11 halftime lead.
The penalty try came in the 55th minute when Halai, chasing Beauden Barrett's through kick and under pressure from Savea, was adjudged to have deliberately knocked the ball dead.
The decision, made by the video referee, put the Hurricanes back in front at 20-16 and earned Halai a yellow card and 10 minutes in the sin bin.
The Blues responded by narrowing the lead through scrumhalf Piri Weepu's third penalty and scored 18 unanswered points to claim the victory.
"All we ask is for these guys to be themselves and that's what's starting to happen, we're working together as a team not as individuals," said Blues skipper Ali Williams.
Elsewhere, it was: Queensland 25, New South Wales 17.
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