Plenty on to-do list for the Hurricanes
Blues rally to take the pre-season win in Mangatainoka
The Hurricanes completed a winless Super Rugby preseason campaign with Saturday’s 38-31 loss to the Blues in Mangatainoka. Magpies and Maori All Black prop Ben May scored a try for the hosts, who led 14-0 early in their final rehearsal before facing the Waratahs in their season opener in Sydney this weekend. The Blues got back to 14-all at halftime before continuing their hot period of play to burst out to a 38-19 lead. The Hurricanes pegged them back late, but it wasn't enough as the Blues held on for what is, at least, a confidence-boosting win and the second consecutive victory for new coach Leon MacDonald. Sure, it probably doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things — the Hurricanes once scored 70 in pre-season then lost by 40 in the first round of the regular season — but it's better than being thrashed in preseason, and the Blues at least have some reasons to be positive. Ma'a Nonu got on the scoresheet for the Blues against his former side, after missing the previous week's win against the Chiefs, while Melani Nanai grabbed a double. Otere Black, Harry Plummer and Stephen Perofeta all contributed as the Blues try to find their playmaker of choice, while for the Hurricanes, Ben Lam scored the best try, finishing off a free-flowing long-range move.