In weather conditions that were not ideal for a match of rugby, the Bulls and Blues gave the wet crowd at Loftus Verdfeld an entertaining yet damp match.
The away side began the game with intent, putting the Bulls under pressure. The New Zealanders got a penalty, reward for their efforts; unfortunately they could not convert it as Harry Plumner's kick fell short of the poles. Minutes after the Bulls received a penalty of their own and would go on to draw first blood on the score board through Morne Steyn's boot.
The conditions demanded a lot from both teams, the first 10 minuets were simply an adjusting phase for the sides, also they were seizing each other. Cornal Hendricks danced his way through the Blues defence line, getting the crowd on their feet but he would end up slipping into the Blues pack, the pitch was slippery. Morne Steyn seconds after, kicked in his second penalty of the game. The Blues eventually got on the scored with flyhalf Otere Black successfully kicking in a penalty.
As expected, the Bulls started to grab the game by a choke hold settling in the Blues 22 as they were in search for the games first five points. They would go close with Rosko Specman who was running for the ball but failed to control it. Blues winger Emoni Narawa also came close to dotting over the white line but he also failed to control the ball, difficult conditions indeed to play rugby.
Bulls captain Burger Odendaal clashed into speedster Narawa, the winger got up and was unhurt while Odendaal received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Momentum was with the man from New Zealand, they looked to take advantage of their numerical superiority, they went on a chase for the try but the Bulls defence was not to be shaken, after 8 phases the Blues could not cross over the white line. The period of sustained pressure finally paid off as Mark Telea scored a try from an excellent build up from the Blues, Warrick Gelant and Cornal Hendricks tried by all means to stop Telea but there was no holding him back. The conversion was taken by Otere Black, the angle he was kicking from was a hard ask plus the wet windy weather did not aid his case. Towards the end of the first half the Bull thought they had scored their first try through Rosko Specman but his effort was ruled off. Play was taken to a scrum and from that passage Morne Steyn would fly over the try line, the veteran missed the conversion. Score at half time was 11 - 8 to the Bulls.
Worth mentioning Blues scrum half Jonathan Ruru had been sent to the sin bin and the away team began the second half with 14 man. Morne Steyn kicked things off in the second half and instantly the visitors were pinned down. Bulls got a penalty and Steyn did not miss. Afterwards the Blues went on to score a try courtesy of Emoni Narawa but through the TMO it was denied, as big man Hoskins Sotutu was judged to have played a forward pass.
The away side got their second try of the day when Tom Robinson forced his way over the Bulls defence, flyhalf Otere Black, converted the kick that followed to give his side a one point lead. The Blues were on the up, after a great cross over kick from Black which was caught by Matt Duffie who then offloaded to fullback Stephen Perofeta who went on to get his sides third try of the game.
Mannie Libbok came on replacing Morne Steyn, not the best scenario to come on to, Libbok botched some kicks showing signs of rustiness and anxiety. The Bulls seemed deflated and the atmosphere inside Loftus was cold much like the weather. But they were not out of it, the side from the capital of South Africa were determined to score a try with nine minutes left in the game, Jeandre Rudolph did just that, got five points for his team and Mannie Libbok kicked in the conversion to give his a one point lead.
That lead was not enough to secure a win for Pote Human's side, the Blues at the death were awarded a penalty and it was converted by Otere Black, in doing so he gave the team from Auckland a 23 - 21 victory.
The Bulls dull start to the season continues as they are winless in three outings, next they face the Jaguares at home and they would look to build on from this heart crushing defeat.
Scorers
Bulls
Try : Morne Steyn, Jeandrè Rudolph
Con : Mannie Libbok
Pen : Morne Steyn (3)
Blues
Try : Mark Telea, Tom Robinson, Stephen Perofeta
Con : Otere Black
Pen : Otere Black (2)
Bulls lineup
: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Josh Strauss, 7. Wian Vosloo, 6. Jeandré Rudolph, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Trevor Nyakane, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka.
Replacements: 16. Corniel Els, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Ruan Steenkamp, 21. Embrose Papier, 22. Manie Libbok, 23. Divan Ross
Blues lineup
15. Stephen Perofeta, 14. Emoni Narawa, 13. Joe Merchant, 12. Harry Plummer, 11. Mark Telea, 10. Otere Black, 9. Jonathan Ruru, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 7. Tony Lamborn, 6. Tom Robinson, 5. Jacob Pierce, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 3. Sione Mafileo, 2. James Parsons, 1. Karl Tu'lnukuafe
Replacements 16. Kurt Eklund, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Aaron Carroll, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Sam Nock, 22. TJ Faiane, 23. Matt Duffie
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