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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
Bulls post 1st win at Eden Park, beat Blues 28-21 in Super Rugby
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The Bulls posted their first-ever win at Eden Park, beating the Blues 28-21 Sunday to extend their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby season to three games.
The Pretoria-based Bulls had never previously beaten the Auckland-based Blues on their home ground but did so by three tries to two to end the Blues' unbeaten start to the season.
Blues coach John Kirwan named a much-changed side, including six new caps, for the match after his team had unexpectedly won its first two matches. The tactic failed and the Blues were outplayed by the Bulls who played a fast-paced style in warm, dry conditions.
"It's been a long time since the Bulls won here so it's a great day for us," Bulls captain Pierre Spies said. "We're very grateful and humble and it was a great team effort."
Blues captain Ali William regretted his team had lost its unbeaten record.
"We just didn't really turn up," he said. "I'm gutted. We'd earned back some respect and then we just lost it like that so I'm not happy.
"We've got ourselves to blame. We didn't attack. We didn't play the game we trained."
The Bulls led 15-6 at halftime after a try to Lionel Mapoe. The Blues gained a lead for the first time when Charles Piutau scored in the second half but the Bulls immediately hit back with a try to Arno Botha.
A late try to Rene Ranger, showing both pace and power, brought the Blues within four points at 25-21 but Morne Steyn clinched the match with a penalty in the final minute.
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Bulls 28 (Lionel Mapoe, Akona Ndungane, Arno Botha tries; Morne Steyn 2 conversions, 3 penalties), Blues 21 (Charles Piutau, Rene Ranger tries; Baden Kerr conversion 3 penalties). HT: 15-6.
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