Sotutu shines as bruising Blues belt Brumbies
the ruthless Blues roll on. Australia’s leading team were supposed to provide a much sterner test than the Blues had faced in recent weeks.
But the bumbling Brumbies were instead crushed at Eden Park last night to snap a five-match winning streak as the Blues underlined their title credentials with a seven-try, wetweather clinic.
Hoskins Sotutu continued his form resurgence in another statement performance from the Blues pack. After being cast aside last year, the former All Blacks No 8 has made his presence felt this season to send coach Scott Robertson a consistent message.
Dynamic Hurricanes No 8 Brayden Iose and Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson are other compelling All Blacks candidates at the back of the scrum — and Ardie Savea will return from Japan in time for the test season — but with another two tries, turnovers and prominent with ball in hand, Sotutu ensured he remains at the forefront of the national conversation.
With eight in 2024, Sotutu sits equal with Andrew Blowers (1996) and Akira Ioane (2018) for most tries by a Blues forward in one season.
On the back of a supremely dominant forward display that featured strong, direct, ball carrying, clean out work and a maul that delivered two tries, the Blues notched their fifth win in succession — and their 10th straight at home.
While the opposition left a lot to be desired at times, in their last four games, the Blues have conceded 24 points while scoring 172.
Such a lopsided ledger fully justifies their status in second place with a 7-1 record, five points behind the unbeaten Hurricanes (8-0). The Brumbies (6-2) are third.
Under Vern Cotter, the Blues pack is unequivocally their unapologetic lethal weapon. Five of their eight tries came from the low numbers last night to further reinforce this strength.
The Blues made light work of the Brumbies from the outset to power out to a 24-0 halftime lead and never looked back.
By the final quarter, the Blues had broken any sign of Brumbies resistance to regularly bust them up the middle and cause damage with repeated offloads.
With Stephen Perofeta, Zarn Sullivan and Finlay Christie to return from injury in the coming weeks, the Blues are putting together a serious title charge.
There was a sense the Australian teams had improved this season after recording six wins — one less than their total from all of last year — against Kiwi opposition. This blowout, though, points to a reality check.
The Brumbies were their own worst enemies at times by committing 14 turnovers which left them attempting to live off scraps of possession. Making 150 more tackles than the Blues is never a recipe for success.
While the Blues diet of Australian opposition continues with a trip to Brisbane to play the Reds on Saturday, it doesn’t get any easier for the Brumbies, with the league-leading Hurricanes awaiting in Wellington.
Blues 46 (Hoskins Sotutu 2, Caleb Clarke, Dalton Papali’i, Taufa Funaki, Ricky Riccitelli, Kurt Eklund tries; Harry Plummer 4 cons, pen) Brumbies 7 (Luke Reimer try; Noah Lolesio con). HT: 24-0.