by RivalsDM

Updated: May 3, 2008, 5:30 AM EST Comment

add this RSS blog email print

The four-tries-to-three victory leave the Blues in sixth place on the standings - for now - and the Auckland-based franchise is still dependent on other result going their way in the final few weeks.

However, they did what had two -scored four tries and won the match.

It took a bonus-point try in the final minute for the Blues to keep their semifinal hopes flickering.

Scrumhalf Taniela Moa reached out to plant the ball on the try-line for the Blues' fourth try, to come away with a maximum five points and move to 31 points, just one point outside the top four - with five more matches in Round 12 to go.

The Blues need to win their remaining matches, away to the Highlanders next week and at home to the Hurricanes, and then hope some of the teams above them - Waratahs, Chiefs, Sharks and Hurricanes - fall by the wayside.

The three-time Super Rugby champions looked in danger of defeat after the Reds stormed back from being 7-20 down at half-time to hit the front 22-20 with 20 minutes left.

But tries from replacement lock Kurtis Haiu and Moa clinched the Blues' second consecutive victory in Brisbane and push the Auckland-based team to a 6-5 winning record this season.

Blues' coach David Nucifora ended an emotional week on a high after announcing this week that he would be leaving the franchise at the end of the season to return home to Australia.

"It wasn't pretty but it was effective and we're on the plane home with the five points," said Blues' skipper Troy Flavell, who was replaced by Haiu in the 56th minute after injuring his left thigh.

"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves with conceding penalties and losing the ball, but we'll build some confidence on that and hopefully have a positive preparation for the Highlanders next week.

"We've done our mathematics and think we could slip into fourth place with two more wins and control our destiny for the play-offs."

The Blues scored twice through impressive flank Jerome Kaino and flyhalf Isa Nacewa to lead by 13 points (20-7) at the interval, as the Reds committed countless errors.

But the home side fought back to hit the front after tries by lock Van Humphries and a runaway 70-metre try by wing Peter Hynes, before the Blues regained control inside the final quarter.

Fullback Nick Evans was steady with his goal-kicking landing three conversions and three penalties in his seven attempts, while Reds' counterpart Clinton Schifcofske landed two conversions and a penalty from five shots.

Man of the match: It was a match in which fortunes fluctuated wildly at times, with both teams having their moments and then giving control away - meaning nobody really produced a concerted 80-minute effort. However, behind the Blues pack scrumhalf Taniela Moa produced a controlled game and ensure his team stayed in the hunt. He is our award winner.

Moment of the match: In a game in which both teams had opportunities to wrest control away, the moment that turned the tide for the Blues was the 63rd minute try by replacement second row forward Kurtis Haiu - a try that came when a quick-tap free-kick taken by Moa set up Haiu for the score.

Villain of the match: Nothing untoward, no villains, no award!

The scorers:

For the Reds: Tries: Croft, Humphries, Hynes Cons: Schifcofske 2

For the Blues: Tries: Kaino, Nacewa, Haiu, Moa Cons: Evans 3 Pens: Evans 3

Teams:

Reds: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Morgan Turinui, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Peter Hynes, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 David Croft, 6 Scott Higginbotham, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Van Humphries, 3 Dayna Edwards, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Coutts. Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Ed O'Donoghue, 19 Poutasi Luafutu, 20 Will Genia, 21 Charlie Fetoai, 22 Brando Va'aulu

Blues: 15 Nick Evans, 14 David Smith, 13 Anthony Tuitavake, 12 Isaia Toeava, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Isa Nacewa, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Troy Flavell (captain), 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16 Nick White, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Kurtis Haiu, 19 Justin Collins, 20 Danny Lee, 21 Benson Stanley, 22 Ben Atiga.

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Geoff Acton (Australia) Television match official: Steve Leszczynski (Australia) Assessor: Scott Young (Australia)