Blues pip Canes

The Blues held on for a narrow 29-28 win over the Hurricanes at Onewa Domain yesterday as both teams had their final hit outs before the 2020 Super Rugby season begins.

Played in sweltering conditions and in front of around 1000 spectators, both teams had good patches, although not surprisingly there were a high number of errors, especially late in the game when each team was fielding completely different sides to the ones that started.

Hurricanes winger Ben Lam picked up the opening try of the game in the seventh minute after his team had all of the early pressure.

But the Blues then got themselves into the game, with their first try going to Tony Lamborn, capitalising on a break down the left and there were follow up tries to Jordan Hyland and Counties Manukau’s recent signing Dalton Papalii.

Lamborn suffered a gash to the head later in the game, but was still able to return.

Six minutes before the break the Hurricanes’ Ngani Laumpape made a big charge up the middle to stretch the Blues defence and the attack was finished off by Ricky Riccitelli, who went in from close range.

Fletcher Smith’s conversion made the score 17-14 at halftime.

The Blues scored the first two tries of the second half, coming from Akira Ioane and Sam Nock, who made a 40m run to score.

By then, both teams had emptied their huge benches and while the game then became more open, there were also more mistakes.

But the Hurricanes were able to score the last two tries of the game, coming from Jamie Booth and then Asafo Aumua three minutes from time.

The Blues are next in action against the Chiefs at Eden Park on Friday night for the opening game of the season.

The Hurricanes are on an early flight from Auckland today for their game next weekend against the Stormers.