GOSFORD - Blues rugby coach David Nucifora is confident his side are gradually getting on track for the inaugural Super 14 despite losing a second pre-season trial to the Waratahs.
Nucifora fielded close to his optimum team after halftime but the presence of 10 All Blacks, most of whom were
playing for the first time this year, could not quite effect a comeback, losing 28-21.
Luke McAlister scored a converted try after the final siren to narrow the margin but the Waratahs were never under serious threat and led throughout at the Central Coast Stadium on Saturday night before a crowd of 10,812.
The hosts led 13-7 at halftime and added two well-taken tries after the break through Wallabies' loose forwards Rocky Elsom and Stephen Hoiles.
Despite the error-ridden match rarely providing a spectacle, Nucifora was far from discouraged ahead of the Blues' final trial against the Western Force in Auckland on Saturday.
"It was a reasonably good hit out. I'm not disappointed where we're at. I thought we had the better of the second and fourth quarters," he said.
"The All Blacks have only been back for a week and a couple of them took a while to wind up ... they'll be better for the run."
The All Blacks-laden pack exerted some pressure on the Waratahs at lineout time, though they were also guilty of poor security on their own feed.
Nucifora was concerned at the number of penalties conceded as the visitors were frequently pinged at the breakdown by referee George Ayoub.
The Blues' backline functioned smoothly at times as both McAlister and Tasesa Lavea shared the pivot role.
McAlister supplied some nice touches but Nucifora indicated he saw the rookie All Black as more suited to his usual midfield role.
"We'll have a look at Luke at 10 again next week but my feeling is he's a 12."
Nucifora also has selection issues in midfield and the talent-laden back three.
North Harbour duo Rua Tipoki and Anthony Tuitavake started in midfield and made some handy breaks, particularly Tuitavake, who helped set up the Blues' opening try to John Senio.
Fijian wing Vili Waqaseduadua was also impressive in the first half before making way for Doug Howlett.
The Blues head home relatively unscathed though flanker Angus Macdonald was an early second half casualty with a chest injury and lock Greg Rawlinson was replaced on the hour after suffering a head knock.
Halfback Steve Devine was a late omission after he suffered a minor hamstring strain at training while prop Tony Woodcock also sat out the game after tweaking a calf muscle.
* The Crusaders proved winners both on and off the field in their trial against Australian newcomers the Western Force in Melbourne.
More than 11,000 turned out at Olympic Park after the Crusaders announced they would base themselves in the southern capital before Australian games, hoping rugby-starved Victorians would embrace the New Zealand side.
Despite it being only a trial, the turnout on a rainy day was one regular tenants, NRL side the Melbourne Storm, would have been envious of.
The Crusaders, with a host of All Blacks in the line-up, led 17-12 at the break and extended it to 36-19 by fulltime.
But the Force, in their second hitout after losing 29-19 to new South African franchise the Cheetahs last week, were far from disgraced.
- NZPA, AAP
GOSFORD - Blues rugby coach David Nucifora is confident his side are gradually getting on track for the inaugural Super 14 despite losing a second pre-season trial to the Waratahs.
Nucifora fielded close to his optimum team after halftime but the presence of 10 All Blacks, most of whom were
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