Is the blues game on radio?

[Darren]

I'm not concerned, Mitch is saving the inaugural win for the inaugural game - it'd be wasted on them folks east of here

[Mambo No. 5]

Well said coach



.

[Darren]

Live scores eh? The last up date was over 30 minutes ago, the game ended at least 10 minutes ago...

[luke_the_pom]

mayb there hasnt been any more scores to update?

[Darren]

The final score? They did post a half time score...

[Mambo No. 5]

FINAL SCORE - Blues 43, Emirates Western Force 5.

[peterss]

Damn! Not good, Not good @ all!!!


Cmon Boys!!! Round 1 here we come!

[Mambo No. 5]

Blues trounce Force
February 2, 2006

Blues 43 Force 5
THE Western Force have had a disastrous final pre-season Super 14 match in Auckland, humbled by the Blues 43-5 at Eden Park today.

The Force had shown promising signs in practice match losses to the Cheetahs and Crusaders before today, but were blown off the park by a rampant Auckland.

The Blues had also endured a win-less pre-season, but the inclusion of seven players from New Zealand's recent undefeated British tour to the starting line-up led to the emphatic 38-point win.

It took just three minutes for the home side to get scoring underway, Isa Nacewa scoring under the posts and Brent Ward converting for an early 7-0 lead.

By the 26th minute the Force were already in a deep hole, giant All Blacks winger Joe Rokocoko crossing for Auckland's fourth try to make it 24-0.

Force coach John Mitchell had seen enough, immediately bringing Matt Henjak and Scott Daruda into the game for Junior Pelesasa and Vitori Buatava.

It made little difference, however, as flanker Justin Collins' try late in the first half made it 29-0 to the Blues at the break.

The visitors finally got on the board early in the second half through a Luke Doherty try.

But any thoughts of a Force comeback were thwarted by two more Blues tries in the next 19 minutes as they pulled away to a 43-5 lead.


Advertisement:
The match was score-less in the final 20 minutes, but Mitchell appears to have plenty of work on his hands before next week's Super 14 debut against the Brumbies in Perth.
AUCKLAND BLUES 43 (Isa Nacewa, John Senio, Brent Ward, Joe Rokocoko, Justin Collins, Villie Waqaseduadua, Rua Tipoki tries; Ward 4 cons)
WESTERN FORCE 5 (Luke Doherty try) at Eden Park, Auckland.

AAP

[Darren]

If we just look at the Second half, 2 tries to 1, and then managing to hold a team half full of All Blacks scoreless for the last 20 minutes.

Doesn't sound so bad now does it ....

Onya Guys! When do they fly in? If I can get the time, I'd like to see them in at the airport. It will be their first return from doing battle away from home!

[Burgs]

Mixed bag this one and wouldn't want to make too many excuses however, it is still a trial.
Previously it was said about the Brumbies not to take too much notice of their trials record.
I have only the post game interviews on telly/radio and the web to go on but there seems to be a few positives to be found.
Interesting that they started with Buatava, possibly O'Young isn't going to be ready for the Brumbies and Mitch is giving Buatava more pressure game time in case Henjak goes off early next week?
Also Pelesasa didn't last too long and may have returned a little early.
Defence has been an issue for all three games and as one reporter said, "I think the tackle bags are going to be getting a workout at Perry Lakes this week!"
Graham may be brought in to add tackle strength if Pelesasa doesn't get up, but the down side is he will still be playing with League instinct not Union.
The only interchange of players I've read was at the 27th minute - Scott Daruda on for Junior Pelesasa and Matt Henjak replaces Vitori Buatava. Was there more? If not, who was Sharpey's partner for the match, never saw a final starting list?
Perhaps if nothing else a good wake up call for the team and their supporters.
This is top level rugby and there is no room for errors.
I'm still quietly confident and it's weeks like this next one that they appointed Mitch to the job.
If Coach and anyone else were able to get to the aiport that would be an amazingly good thing for the boys, I really hope that some of you are able to, they need a good shot of support at the moment.
Time to work out if you are going to be fans or supporters fellas?

[Egan]

If Coach and anyone else were able to get to the aiport that would be an amazingly good thing for the boys, I really hope that some of you are able to, they need a good shot of support at the moment.
Time to work out if you are going to be fans or supporters fellas?

A bit hard living an hour away, if you live in the Eastern Suburbs though...no excuses.

[Burgs]

Blues beat Emirates Western Force in Auckland Trial Game

Thursday, 2 February 2006
Official Revue from RugbyWA

The Blues have recorded a comprehensive 7 tries to 1 victory over the Emirates Western Force in a trial match at Eden Park in Auckland in front of 5000 spectators.

The Blues were first to put points on the board through Isa Nacewa in the third minute The flyhalf brushed off a string of would-be tacklers along the left wing before touching down between the posts. The try was converted by fullback Brent Ward. Score: 7-0.

The Emirates Western Force soon went on the attack, mounting a series of raids with Digby Ioane coming close on two occasions. But the Blues held fast and responded through their electric backline in the 17th minute when winger Joe Rokocoko weaved his way through the defence before passing the ball on the inside for scrumhalf John Senio to score. The try was not converted by Ward. Score: 12-0.

A missed tackle in the 23rd minute saw Ward go across for Auckland's third try. Ward did not convert his own. Score: 17-0.

Missed tackles and quick hands through the pacey Blues backline were again the visitors undoing, with Rokocoko scoring in the 26th minute. The try was converted by Ward. Score: 24-0

Scott Daruda and Matt Henjak replaced Junior Pelesasa and Vitori Buatava respectively, and despite a surge that saw Henjak and then Nathan Sharpe nearly go over, the Blues quickly regained their dominance. In 39th minute, flanker Justin Collins scored Auckland's fifth try from a rolling maul after a line-out. The try was not converted. Score: 29-0

Half-time: 29-0

David Pusey replaced Pat O'Connor at the restart and immediately the visitors were on the attack, and soon posted their first and only score. A strong break from Scott Fava led to Luke Doherty crashing over for a try in the 41st minute, following strong build up work from Brendan Cannon and Richard Brown.41st minute. The try was not converted by Cameron Shepherd. Score: 29-5

A clash of heads then saw Pusey spend some in the blood bin, with John Welborn coming on in the 43rd minute. Pusey would return to the fray in the 53rd minute.

In the 50th minute, Blues winger Villie Waqaseduadua scored Auckland's sixth. The try was converted by Ward. Score: 36-5

A great run from Digby Ioane in the 53rd minute came to an end with a last-gasp tackle just metres from the line. Haig Sare then came on for Josh Graham and the Western Australian team lifted their intensity, dominating possession for a period - but they were unable to penetrate the Blues defence.

In the 60th minute, from a scrum 10 metres out, Blues centre Rua Tipoki brushed off a tackle to score between the posts. The try was converted by Ward. Score: 43-5.

A series of substitutions followed for the Emirates Western Force with Buatava back on for Henjak, the front row of Angus Scott, Cannon and David Fitter replaced by Gareth Hardy, Tai McIsaac and David Te Moana. Welborn came on for Sharpe, Tim Davidson for Fava, Matt Hodgson for Richard Brown, Tajhon Mailata for James Hligendorf and Matt Windle for Doherty.

Despite the changes, there was no further addition to the scoreline by either side in the last 20 minutes.

FULLTIME: Blues 43 Emirates Western Force 5.

BLUES - Tries: Nacewa, Senio, Ward, Rokocoko, Collins, Waqaseduadua, Tipoki. Conversions: Ward 4.

EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE - Tries: Doherty.