Blues see off the Chiefs
March 23, 2002

The Carlos Spencer Show has revived the Blues' Super 12 campaign with a 37-30 win against the Chiefs at Auckland's Eden Park.

But it was a close run thing after the Chiefs came back from 34-16 in the 60th minute to trail by just 37-30 with seven minutes left on the clock.

In what should turn out to be the positional change of the season, Spencer was moved to fullback from flyhalf and the decision proved a masterstroke. The Blues raced in three tries in the opening 20 minutes and Spencer was prominent each time. In the end, he was to have a hand in all four Blues tries and it was a rare occasion when the Chiefs defence managed to lay a hand on him.

With the time and space that fullback allows, Spencer was unstoppable with his change of speed slicing open huge holes and the timing of his passing was perfect. He didn't go hiding in defence either with a crucial tackle in the 25th minute stopping a trybound Bruce Reihana.

Spencer looked to have deservedly got on the scoreboard in the 45th minute after a brilliant set move from a scrum on halfway, but he was judged to have lost control of the ball as he slid over the line.

He is unlikely to be too concerned though as he will know his effort has rejuvenated the Blues' season after consecutive losses. The Blues led 23-16 at half-time and while Spencer dominated in attack, it was the big Auckland pack that laid on a superb platform for its backs with plenty of go-forward.

Both these sides had to win to remain a chance for the semi-finals and unfortunately for the Chiefs their cause is now hopeless and they will be wondering what might have been after another close loss.

They will be rueing their failure to turn pressure into points with a healthy advantage in possession, territory and at the breakdown during the first-half. And they will also be rueing their poor discipline after they had worked themselves back into the game to trail by only one point with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

The Chiefs will get a bonus point for scoring four tries and one for finishing within seven points, but it will matter little after their fourth loss in as many games.

The game was anyone's with the Blues leading 17-16 with just minutes left before half-time. However, flyhalf James Arlidge landed two penalties before the break, and two within 10 minutes into the second half to give the Blues a crucial 29-16 lead.

Winger Doug Howlett put his side further ahead 34-16 with his second try and the Blues' fourth in the 55th minute.

But the Chiefs weren't finished and converted tries to Bruce Reihana in the 60th minute and to Keith Lowen in the 71st minute set up an exciting finish, but the Blues held on.

Scoreboard

BLUES 37
Tries: Doug Howlett 2, Mark Robinson, Rico Gear tries.
Goals: James Arlidge 5 pen, con.

CHIEFS 30
Tries: Roger Randle, Keven Mealamu, Bruce Reihana, Keith Lowen tries.
Goals: David Hill 2 pen, con; Glen Jackson con.

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