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Bonus point Super 12: Lowen leads Waikato Chiefs over Blues
ROTORUA, New Zealand (AP) -- Center Keith Lowen scored three tries as Waikato upstaged Auckland 34-16 and also took a bonus point from the former champion Blues in their Super 12 rugby union match Friday. Lowen was one of two Chiefs -- the other being loose forward Koula Tukino -- who continually forced the Blues on to the back foot with powerful bursts. It paid off with two Lowen tries in the first half. He came back with the fourth Chiefs try seconds from the end. The other Chiefs' try came from captain and No. 8 Deon Muir. Glen Jackson kicked 14 points from two penalties and four conversions. The Blues' points came from a try by replacement halfback Mark Robinson and three penalties and a conversion from Carlos Spencer. The Chiefs led 17-6 at halftime after Lowen scored his second try. It was a reflection of coach John Mitchell's strong emphasis on efficiency in the set pieces. The Chiefs engaged the Blues in a scrum about 35 meters out and as the ball slipped out their backs, standing flat, moved up quickly. Jackson slipped through as the Blues inside backs were reorganizing themselves, Mark Ranby connected to put Lowen clear. Six minutes earlier Lowen secured the ball in his third attempt over the line -- after winger Roger Randle chucked it back in a tackle -- to score his first try. That moved the Chiefs into a 10-6 lead after Jackson and Spencer exchanged penalties. Neither team showed patience in attack, losing possession constantly just when the space appeared to open up after the hard yardage had been done. Spencer kicked his third penalty early in the second half. Tukino, who sparked the Chiefs' attacks on numerous occasions and at times lost possession in the tackle, started the burst that led to captain Muir's try. Deacon Manu and Bruce Reihana maintained the Chiefs' momentum with fine support play and Muir eventually crossed. Jackson added the conversion and the Chiefs led 24-9 13 minutes into the second half. The Blues rolled players off the bench, replacing at least six in an effort to find more urgency around the field and support for their ball carriers. It paid off when replacement halfback Mark Robinson dived over for a try from a quickly taken penalty. The try was built by winger Doug Howlett, who raced around the flank defense and cut inside the cover defense before setting up play for flanker Matua Parkinson. The quick ball caught the Chiefs' backline offside, which paved the way for Robinson's try, converted by Spencer. Chiefs coach Mitchell said his team's theme all week was to attack the Blues. "There was a lot of character in this side, it was all about pressure and being relentless," the former assistant England coach said. "You have to absorb losses and it's all about how you bounce back," he said of their loss to the Crusaders last week. "Character and scramble defense saved our bacon." Scores: WAIKATO 34 (Keith Lowen 3, Deon Muir tries; Glen Jackson 2 penalties, 4 conversions) def. AUCKLAND 16 (Mark Robinson try; Carlos Spencer 3 penalties, conversion). Halftime 17-6.
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