Not Such a Good Day At the Office

So the Bs lost 0-42 to kick the day off despite playing some good rugby, and then the Prems lost 12-22 to ensure our winning streak for this season never extends beyond three games in a row.  But hey, at least we recognise what areas we need to work on before playing the Plastic Doolans this Saturday at Centrepoint 4.  Match report here.

Bai Gets Another One

Bai on the charge for Clermont

He may not have been in the playing 22, but Seremaia Bai collected another title as part of the Clermont-Auvergne squad when they  finally won the French Top 14 championship off holders Perpignan 19-6…he’s off to Castres next year so let’s look for the Top 14 going there in 2011.  The other bonus is that Castres Olympique wears blue, so he’s bound to be lucky…

Today In History

James O'Donnell - All Black and Blue

Today in 1884 James O’Donnell became the first Blue to score points for the All Blacks (or the New Zealand touring team as they were known in 1884) when he scored a try in the 33-0 win over Cumberland County in Sydney.  Up 17-0 at halftime, wing-forward (number eight) O’ Donnell saw the lads through to a mighty win (tries were only worth two points in them days).  He got one up on fellow Blues tourist Sir Henry Braddon, who played seven games on tour but never troubled the scorers.

O’Donnell unfortunately never played for Blues again, deciding to stay on in Sydney rather than travel back to Invers where there were a number of people he owed money.  True story.  His son later played for NSW.

James O’ Donnell (born 1 January 1860, Piltdown Ireland – died 1 May 1942, Sydney)

A Simple Two Word Solution…

…as long as he is released to play club footy…

Rugby: Injuries continue to rock All Blacks…

Kahui also had a mixed season but at least managed to play every game except the last, against the Blues. He has since been diagnosed with damage to his sternoclavicular joint – where the the breastbone and collar bone meet – and told to avoid contact.

Two words: Kendrick Lynn.

K Lynn - top right - black suits him...

Big Games, Big Stadium

Yep, she’s all on for young and old this weekend when we return to Blues’ rightful home, Rugby Park.  Prem Bs play Midlands at 1.15pm, then the Mighty Blue Machine will rumble up to take on Midlands at 3pm.

Refreshments afterwards at Balmoral Drive.

Ugly, But A Win

Yep, we beat Pirates OB 20-10 under leaden skies on a leaden track.  But it was tough.  Better news, however, for the mighty Blue B machine, who walloped Pirates OB Bs 45-7.  Bino as captain goes 2 from 2!  Prems match report here.  PS Tintin hits the ton with a round to go – shot boi!

Preston Russell Law Blues v Pirates OB

Saturday, 3pm, Blues International Stadium.  Blues Premier Development v Pirates OB B @ 1.15pm.

A Big Thank You To Road Safety Southland

Blues has partnered with Road Safety Southland in a bid to reduce drinking and driving in our community.

This rugby season all our premier rugby players will feature the message “I don’t drink-drive” on their jerseys.

Road Safety Southland community advisor of road safety Jane Ballantyne said Road Safety Southland has used many innovative ways to communicate its messages but this partnership with Southland rugby clubs has to be at the top.

The promotion recognises the clubs are in the ideal position to help change attitudes towards drinking and driving in Southland, she said.

Road Safety Southland is excited about this opportunity to work alongside rugby.”

Last year there were 10 fatal crashes on Southland roads in which 13 people were killed. Seven of the fatal crashes involved alcohol.

He Knows All About Finals

Bai on the charge for Clermont

Good to see former Blues centre and Fijian international Seremaia Bai make the French Top 14 final after Clermont Auvergne beat Toulon 35-29 on Saturday.  The man who won the 2003 Galbraith Shield final against Woodlands with a last minute sideline conversion of Pockets’ try is off to Castres next season, but not before he gets to have a crack at reigning champions Perpignan in Paris Saturday week.  Go Bai!

P.S. Yellow doesn’t suit you as well as Blue did.

Blues Looking Ominous? Let’s Not Get Carried Away Just Yet.

While it’s nice to be top of the table for another week, we still have to get through the third round (when all the Super 14 players come back) and then the semis and final.  I’m not being presumptuous about the semis, BTW, because it’s hard to see us going backwards that fast that we end up fifth, but you don’t win any silverware for finishing in the top four.

Feet firmly on the ground, chaps.