Auckland Blues beat Canterbury Crusaders in Super 14 opener
The Auckland Blues launched the new Super 14 season with a flourish after defeating defending champions Canterbury Crusaders 34-25.
Last year's form book would have seen the Crusaders as favourites but the All Blacks' policy of taking 22 of their leading players out of the first seven rounds of the Super 14 counted more heavily against the champions.
The Crusaders were without seven of their leading players, including star flyhalf Dan Carter and their inspirational skipper Richie McCaw, while the Blues were without four of their top players.
Both sides scored three tries in a fast match but the home side dominated possession in key passages and played with more purpose.
The Blues enjoyed 57 percent of possession and won the rucks and mauls by a margin of nearly two to one while the Crusaders missed 25 tackles to the Blues 10.
For the Blues the only negative was the loss of skipper Troy Flavell -- who did more than his fair share to ensure victory -- to a yellow card for stamping with eight minutes remaining.
Flavell has a reputation for indiscipline but appeared to have been harshly dealt with after an inspirational role in defence and on attack.
The honour for the first Super 14 try for 2007 went to Blues outside centre Isaia Toeava in the 17th minute.
A counter-attacking run by Blues fullback George Pisi set up winger Anthony Tuitavake, who busted through several tacklers to create the chance. Flavell played a crucial role with a clever offload to Toeava for the touchdown.
The Crusaders would have considered themselves lucky to be only six points adrift at 19-13 at halftime given the dominance of the Blues for much of the spell.
They made the most of their only real try-scoring chance in the half with a try to skipper Corey Flynn just before the halftime whistle. Part of the blame lay with Blues halfback David Gibson who fluffed a clearing kick near his own goal line.
Flavell and Tuitavake figured again in the Blues' second try five minutes into the second spell. The skipper flicked another clever pass to set Tuitavake off down the left flank before his offload to replacement Rudi Wulf to touch down.
Crusaders number eight Mose Tuiali'i kept them in the match with his side's second but the relief was short-lived.
All Black Luke McAlister made a quick impact for the Blues after coming on after 52 minutes, breaking down the middle to put fellow All Black Doug Howlett in for a try.
Another All Black winger, Rico Gear, replied for the Crusaders but Isa Nacewa's fifth penalty of the night kept the margin to more than a converted try and the home side hung on despite playing with 14 players in the last minutes.
AFP
