Blues take exception with journalist on social media after 'comically bad' last 30 seconds

After conceding three tries in the final ten minutes against the Hurricanes from a comfortable winning position, the Blues almost gave it away again at Eden Park as two costly penalties gave the Chiefs a chance to snatch it.

With time in the red past 80 minutes, the Blues just had to kick it out but an illegal latch from flanker Tom Robinson gave the Chiefs possession and the chance to kick to touch from their territory.

From the ensuing line out, Robinson was again penalised after trying to compete and steal the ball, giving the Chiefs a kickable three to take the lead with the score at 24-22.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 3

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 3

Bryn Gatland lined up the kick from over 40 metres out but much to Robinson’s relief, his attempt went wide and the Blues held on for a 24-22 win, their first of the season.

The sentiment online was predictably critical after the Blues did everything to give away the game from a position that most sides would win from. Blues fans were put through heartbreaking agony before Gatland’s kick absolved their pain.

One fan wrote ‘this is too much’ after a ‘comically bad’ final half minute of the game, with the Blues lack of ‘rugby IQ’ at a level that ‘completely astounds’.

Blues alomst gave it away again. Leon McDonald's heart must be in a bad state after that last passage of play. 😂#BLUvCHI #SuperRugbyPacific

— aRambunctious_Sod (@MarkofiA) March 5, 2022

Supporting the Blues should need an Insurance cover. This is too much.
It's the hope that kills you.#BLUvCHI

— Polycap (@Lauaki16) March 5, 2022

I mean it's a win, but that is a comically bad last 30 seconds from the Blues 😂 #BLUvCHI

— Jake Beleski (@JBeleski) March 5, 2022

The amount of devices broken in the Auckland region when the Blues are playing must be ridiculous.#BLUvCHI

— Matt (@M0_wen) March 5, 2022

The rugby IQ or lack thereof from the Blues in the closing stages completely astounds me. Just no brains whatsoever. They get the W but far out.#BLUvCHI

— Eamon (@Mondo512) March 5, 2022

Well not sure we deserved that. But after last week will take it. Bloody well played @ChiefsRugby though #BLUvCHI

— Just Get Boosted Maloney (@jayjaymaloney) March 5, 2022

The Blues were also rather touchy about proceedings after the win, going out of the way to question the opinion of New Zealand writer Kyle McDonald.

They implied that McDonald’s comment around ‘snatching defeat from the jaws of victory’ was out of line for a columnist who writes about mental health, despite most of the reaction being of the same vein after the thrilling finish.

Imagine tweeting this as a “mental health” columnist. 🙄

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 5, 2022

The man’s entitled to an opinion.

— TwA75 (@TwAck75) March 5, 2022