Mealamu rallies Blues past Crusaders
Source: Agencies |
February 20, 2011, Sunday
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BLOODIED Auckland Blues skipper Keven Mealamu inspired his team to a thrilling 24-22 comeback victory over the Canterbury Crusaders in the second half of their Super 15 opener in Auckland yesterday.
Seven-time champions Crusaders had raced to a 19-6 halftime lead on the back of tries from Sean Maitland and Andy Ellis, but the Blues blasted back with scores from Benson Stanley, Tony Woodcock and Mealamu to claim victory.
The New Zealand teams, who have won 10 of the 15 titles in the various incarnations of the southern hemisphere's annual provincial championship, produced a high-quality contest but in the end it was old-fashioned forward grunt that decided the match.
Prop Woodcock's drive through the middle just after the hour mark brought the Blues to within three points of the Crusaders at 22-19, allowing Mealamu to claim the winning try for the three-time champions nine minutes later.
The Crusaders missed 23 tackles in the match and several of those came as the Blues drove to five meters out and Mealamu, blood flowing from a cut in his head, ran over Ellis to touch down.
"In the first half we had some good opportunities but we weren't executing them ... in the second half we took our chances," All Blacks hooker Mealamu said in a pitchside interview.
"We'll keep our feet on the ground, it's only week one, but what a way to start the season."
Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter had an ordinary night with the boot by his exceptional standards with four penalties from eight kicks while opposite number Stephen Brett missed five of his eight attempts.
In Canberra, Australia, France-bound Matt Giteau kicked two conversions and three penalties to prove the difference in his ACT Brumbies' 28-20 win over New Zealand's Waikato Chiefs in the Super 15 opener for both teams.
Giteau, who signed a three-year contract with French club Toulon last week, added to the three tries scored by Robbie Coleman, Francis Fainifo and Salei Ma'afu.
The Chiefs had tries from Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga. Stephen Donald kicked a penalty and conversion for Waikato.
(Agencies)
Seven-time champions Crusaders had raced to a 19-6 halftime lead on the back of tries from Sean Maitland and Andy Ellis, but the Blues blasted back with scores from Benson Stanley, Tony Woodcock and Mealamu to claim victory.
The New Zealand teams, who have won 10 of the 15 titles in the various incarnations of the southern hemisphere's annual provincial championship, produced a high-quality contest but in the end it was old-fashioned forward grunt that decided the match.
Prop Woodcock's drive through the middle just after the hour mark brought the Blues to within three points of the Crusaders at 22-19, allowing Mealamu to claim the winning try for the three-time champions nine minutes later.
The Crusaders missed 23 tackles in the match and several of those came as the Blues drove to five meters out and Mealamu, blood flowing from a cut in his head, ran over Ellis to touch down.
"In the first half we had some good opportunities but we weren't executing them ... in the second half we took our chances," All Blacks hooker Mealamu said in a pitchside interview.
"We'll keep our feet on the ground, it's only week one, but what a way to start the season."
Crusaders flyhalf Dan Carter had an ordinary night with the boot by his exceptional standards with four penalties from eight kicks while opposite number Stephen Brett missed five of his eight attempts.
In Canberra, Australia, France-bound Matt Giteau kicked two conversions and three penalties to prove the difference in his ACT Brumbies' 28-20 win over New Zealand's Waikato Chiefs in the Super 15 opener for both teams.
Giteau, who signed a three-year contract with French club Toulon last week, added to the three tries scored by Robbie Coleman, Francis Fainifo and Salei Ma'afu.
The Chiefs had tries from Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga. Stephen Donald kicked a penalty and conversion for Waikato.
(Agencies)
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