Lions fall short again
The Lions continued their losing start to the season as a second-half rally saw the Blues claim a 41-32 victory at Coca Cola Park.
Last Updated: 04/03/11 8:12pm
The Lions continued their losing start to the Super Rugby season as a second-half rally saw the Blues claim a 41-32 victory at Coca Cola Park.
Rene Ranger came off the bench to score two tries after the break, with the visitors bettering their opponents by a total of five tries to four in a thrilling contest.
For the third week in a row the Lions had victory in their sights but were made to pay for several crucial errors, with rookie fly-half Elton Jantjies slipping up again.
The Blues made a bright start and were ahead early on as Joe Rokocoko ran in his 37th Super Rugby try on three minutes after Isaia Toeava's broke through the line. Luke McAlister converted.
The hosts had replied within moments, however, as excellent work from No. 8 Warren Whiteley from a line-out allowed Jano Vermaak to score in at the corner.
Jantjies slotted over the extras, but the Lions' joy was short-lived as Rokocoko once again starred to set-up a second try for the Blues.
The All Black wing had the defence scrambling with his run through the middle, before the ball was spread out to Jared Payne for a simple score.
Gap
McAlister converted before nailing a fine drop goal - with a Jantjies penalty sandwiched in between - to keep the gap at seven after 20 minutes.
There was no let-up in the action as the Lions broke down the right, with Waylon Murray playing in Whiteley for the try, while a Jantjies conversion tied the scores.
Another penalty from the 20-year-old put the Lions ahead for the first time and the visitors were put further on the back foot when Kurtis Haiu was yellow-carded just before half-time.
The Lions capitalised on the one-man advantage as Doppies la Grange crossed the try-line, with Jantjies' missed conversion leaving it 25-17 at the break.
The hosts wasted two excellent try-scoring opportunities shortly after the restart, and they were punished on the break when Ranger ran in the first of his two tries under the posts.
Ranger crossed again shortly afterwards as the Blues completed the turnaround, with McAlister on target with both conversions and a further penalty to extend the advantage to nine.
The Lions' Joshua Strauss powered his way over for a bonus-point try as the contest threatened to take another twist.
But Blues scrum-half Alby Mathewson made sure of the victory when he broke through after another mistake from Jantjies to score the ninth try of the match.
