These Blues not fading away anymore
● The Blues’ Super Rugby Aotearoa match against the Highlanders had a hint of children’s playground about it.
There was running and screaming, pockets of bullying, lots of crying foul and the odd admonition. Mostly, though, it see-sawed from beginning to end with the lead changing hands six times.
When the fun ended, the table-topping Blues kept their unbeaten record with a 2724 win.
The Highlanders will rue missed opportunities. Flyhalf Mitch Hunt had a chance to lock the scores at 27-27 in the 72nd minute with a penalty but failed. After that the Highlanders eschewed kicks at goal.
From a lineout 5m out, the Highlanders in the 76th minute mauled with intent but the Blues held, securing a turnover.
“A couple of years ago, in fact last year, moments like that would slowly fade away from us. We weren’t able to hang on and show composure,” said Blues captain and lock Patrick Tuipulotu.
“We are able to do that now. We are comfortable backing our defence.”
Highlanders captain and hooker Ash Dixon said: “We made some improvements but we are not where we want to be yet. We are disappointed we didn’t nail it.”
The Highlanders had their chances. Fortunes fluctuated wildly in the opening 20 minutes or so before the Blues seemed to stamp their authority on the match.
The Highlanders hit back. Just as they got themselves into the lead, they had a kick charged down with Blues flanker Dalton Papalii profiting with a try from the rebound.
Flyhalf Otere Black, who has missed just one kick in Super Rugby Aotearoa, converted.
Sturdy Blues left wing Caleb Clarke broke through a tackle soon after as they attacked from their own 22. He surged upfield before offloading to the speeding Rieko Ioane, who ran clear to score.
The Highlanders, down 22-10 at the break, showed resolve when Hunt darted through unopposed.
Ioane was sent to the sin bin after 50 minutes and this gave the Highlanders a chance to put down the hammer. They got over the line minutes later through All Blacks flank Shannon Frizell, but Papalii soon dotted down the decisive score.