Blues v QR Qld Reds Auckland, NZ 7:35pm - 24/2/2007
38	Round 04	13
	FT

The QR Queensland Reds were unable to contain an expansive Blues side that ran in four tries to score a 38-13 victory in Auckland, in Round 4 of the Investec Super 14.

The Reds failed to control the ball and missed too many tackles, especially in the second half when the Blues lifted the tempo and began to play "Polynesian basketball" as Reds coach Eddie Jones had warned was the big danger if weren't contained.

Running with the wind in the first half the Reds briefly took a 6-3 lead at the 30 minute mark, but trailed 13-6 at the break.

Reds captain John Roe said his team felt they were well in the game at halftime and spoke of controlling the ball and putting pressure on the Blues in the second half.

"We just didn't do what we said we were going to do, we left the words in the dressing room," said Roe.

Instead it was the Blues who dictated terms in the second half, running away with the game as the Reds' missed tackle tally reached 25 to the Blues' 6.

The Blues had two thirds of the possession and 60 percent of the territory, keeping the Reds on the back foot for most of the game.

Fullback Clinton Schifcofske kicked two penalty goals from five attempts, while the Reds' sole try came against the run of play when replacement centre Charlie Fetoai latched on to an intercept. Schifcofske converted the try.

Reds Head Coach Eddie Jones was forced to replace prop Ben Coutts 13 minutes into the second half when he suffered a dislocated left shoulder, giving Herman Hunt his first Super 14 appearance.

By the end of the game Jones had used his whole bench as the weight of possession took its toll on the tiring Reds.

The Reds made the job even harder for themselves when they lost flanker David Croft at the 65th minute with a yellow card for infringing at the ruck.

BLUES 38 (Rudi Wulf 2, Isa Nacewa, Jerome Kaino tries; Isa Nacewa 2 cons pen, Luke McAlister con 3 pens) bt QR QUEENSLAND REDS 13 (Charlie Fetoai try; Clinton Schifcofske 2 pens, con) at Eden Park, Auckland. Halftime 13-6. Crowd: 18,500