Garrin Lambley
Cape Town - The Blues have beaten the Waratahs at Eden Park in Auckland to reach the semi-finals of this year's Super Rugby competition.
The Blues won 26-13 after leading 13-8 at half-time.
The Blues scored two tries through wing Lachie Munro and lock Ali Williams. Munro was on target with a conversion and three penalties for a personal haul of 16 points. Centre Luke McAlister chipped in with a conversion and penalty.
The Waratahs replied with tries by centre Tom Carter and fullback Lachie Turner. Flyhalf Kurtley Beale was successful with a penalty.
Should the Crusaders beat the Sharks in Saturday's second qualifier (kick-off 09:35 SA time), the Blues will travel to Brisbane to face the Reds next weekend, with the Stormers hosting the Crusaders at Newlands.
However, should the Sharks upset the Crusaders in Nelson, the Blues will travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers, with the Sharks taking on the Reds.
Teams:
Blues:
15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Charlie Faumuina
Substitutes: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Sherwin Stowers
Waratahs:
15 Lachie Turner, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Soseni Anesi, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Josh Holmes; 8 Dave Dennis, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Pat O'Connor, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Bernard Foley
Cape Town - The Blues have beaten the Waratahs at Eden Park in Auckland to reach the semi-finals of this year's Super Rugby competition.
The Blues won 26-13 after leading 13-8 at half-time.
The Blues scored two tries through wing Lachie Munro and lock Ali Williams. Munro was on target with a conversion and three penalties for a personal haul of 16 points. Centre Luke McAlister chipped in with a conversion and penalty.
The Waratahs replied with tries by centre Tom Carter and fullback Lachie Turner. Flyhalf Kurtley Beale was successful with a penalty.
Should the Crusaders beat the Sharks in Saturday's second qualifier (kick-off 09:35 SA time), the Blues will travel to Brisbane to face the Reds next weekend, with the Stormers hosting the Crusaders at Newlands.
However, should the Sharks upset the Crusaders in Nelson, the Blues will travel to Cape Town to face the Stormers, with the Sharks taking on the Reds.
Teams:
Blues:
15 Jared Payne, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Benson Stanley, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Lachie Munro, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Charlie Faumuina
Substitutes: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Chris Lowrey, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Sherwin Stowers
Waratahs:
15 Lachie Turner, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Soseni Anesi, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Josh Holmes; 8 Dave Dennis, 7 Phil Waugh (captain), 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Sitaleki Timani, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson
Substitutes: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Pat O'Connor, 19 Chris Alcock, 20 Hugh Perrett, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Bernard Foley