Standout effort by Sotutu as Blues hang on

The Blues overcame a controversial try to Hurricanes fullback Josh Moorby to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Brumbies last week.

The Hurricanes fullback appeared to knock on in the act of scoring in the 50th minute, but referee Nic Berry was happy that he was always in control of the ball and awarded the five-pointer.

Jordie Barrett’s subsequent conversion drew the Hurricanes to within three points at 22-19, but the Blues – inspired by the outstanding Finlay Christie and Hoskins Sotutu – did just enough to close the game out despite a misfiring lineout.

The win owed to a display of no little defensive grit as the Hurricanes hammered away in the final seconds for the try that would have won the game.

However, the Blues defended desperately under their own sticks – with Sotutu again prominent – to turn the ball over and secure a valuable win.

The early-season trend of teams conceding heavily when they are down to 14 men continued in the capital, when the Blues scored two first-half tries with Hurricanes lock Isaia Walker-Leawere in the sin-bin.

The 12-point burst put them in control of a game which was

relatively even until that point, and it will leave Hurricanes coach Jason Holland pulling his hair out after Ardie Savea’s illdiscipline

dominated the headlines this week.

It was an act of Blues illdiscipline that helped the Hurricanes to bounce back from a 22-5 halftime deficit. Lock Cameron Suafoa was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Devan Flanders, and Moorby scored minutes later.

The Blues decided to take the Hurricanes on up the middle, and while it wasn’t always pretty it was effective – particularly when Sotutu and No 12 Roger TuivasaSheck

got their hands on the ball.

Tuivasa-Sheck continued his good start to the season with some strong carries, outpointing Barrett in their personal duel.

Rieko Ioane, who blew a try last week against the Brumbies, was also far more effective as a distributor in space.

The big moment

It took an 80-minute effort from the Blues – and a crucial lastsecond counter-ruck to get the job done in Wellington. Coach Leon

GETTY Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu contributed a try in a tremendous performance in Wellington last night. Right: Hurricanes fullback Josh Moorby’s try was controversial.