17 Apr 2016

Emotion almost gets better of Blues

12:14 pm on 17 April 2016

The Blues coach Tana Umaga believes emotion almost got the better of his side in their narrow 23-18 Super Rugby win over the South African side the Sharks in Auckland on Saturday.

Umaga says it was an emotional week with the death of former player Kurtis Haiu and also the reunion of the 1996 Blues side which won the inaugural Super rugby title.

"There was a lot of emotion going into the game and we talked a lot about making sure it wasn't all about emotion. We wanted to do it for them but we couldn't just rely on the memories to get us through and that's maybe something for us to learn from," said Umaga.

"I thought we were well prepared this week. We had a bit of an edge and maybe it was just a bit too much," he said.

Thirteen points from the goal kicker, Ihaia West, helped the Blues to victory.

Blues winger Rieko Ioane scores a try

Blues winger Rieko Ioane scores a try Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Look back at match commentary here.

Boht teams scored two tries, but three penalties and two conversions from West gave the home side their third win of the season and their first over the Sharks in 11 attempts.

The Springbok prop known as the beast, Tendai Mtawarira, scored the opening try of the match in the 8th minute, by crashing over in the left corner.

With five mintes to play in the first half the Blues crossed for their first through a pick and go from centre George Moala.

The Sharks took an 11-10 lead into half-time, which they extended in the 41st minute as their Springbok fullback, Willie le Roux, made a half break before dropping a short pass to the flying centre Paul Jordaan.

Rene Ranger of the Blues was taken off at half-time due to injury.

Rene Ranger of the Blues was taken off at half-time due to injury. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jordaan dotted down untouched behind the posts presenting an easy conversion for Johan Pietersen.

After a West penalty, the Blues eased into the lead in the 65th minute when their All Blacks Sevens player, Rieko Ioane, showed his class by breaking the line and sprinting twenty metres into the right corner.

West kicked his third penalty in stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt.

In other matches the South African side the Bulls beat the Queensland Reds 41-22, the ACT Brumbies beat the New South Wales Waratahs 26-20 and in South Africa this morning the Lions beat the Stormers 29-22.