Blues smash Rebels in an 11-try frenzy
THE Blues strengthened their position at the top of the table as they destroyed the Rebels 71-28.
Leon MacDonald’s side had led 47-14 at half-time, courtesy of Akira Ioane’s brace and further tries from Finlay Christie, James Tucker, Hoskins Sotutu and Rieko Ioane leaving their visitors absolutely stunned.
Though they slowed down in the second period to fall short of surpassing their record score, they scored four more including two further tries by Rieko Ioane to complete his hat-trick and pass the 70 mark for only the second time in their history.
It was a much improved performance from the Blues after their patchy display in victory against the Force last week.
Despite their thumping win, Blues captain Dalton Papali’i was able to find flaws in the performance, particularly with the start of the game as they trailed 14-0 after five minutes.
He said: “We’ve got a lot to learn. We can’t start matches like that against other opponents. We just need to find a balance.”
It was another poor performance from the Rebels, leaving them outside the top eight and play-off places.
Captain Matt Phillip said: “I’m really disappointed because we were starting to build a lot of momentum during our season. We just weren’t in touch.”
The Rebels’ slip down the table was also down to a 27-19 victory for the Highlanders
away at the Queensland Reds
through tries by Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Scott Gregory and Folau Fakatava.
For the Reds, it was a third straight defeat to Kiwi opposition, and they slip to fifth having won seven of their opening eight games.
Captain Tate McDermott gave a brutal assessment of his side’s display as they coughed up a decent first half advantage.
“The complacency from 12-0 up, we had worked so hard for our points and to have someone walk through our line, it’s embarrassing
really,” he said. “We’re switching off in those moments, in those money minutes either side of half-time and we’re opening the door.”
Moana Pasifika are also seeing improved performances, but remain bottom after a 26-20 defeat to the Waratahs, who had to dig deep courtesy of Dylan Pietsch’s winner after trailing 17-14 at the break.
Leicester Faingaanuku’s hattrick and Will Jordan’s try-double aided the Crusaders to hit back from their defeat to the Waratahs last week and hammer the
Western Force 53-15 in Perth.
It keeps them safely in third, now seven points clear
of the Chiefs in fourth who lost at home to the Brumbies 38-28. Wallaby fly-half Noah Lolesio scored 18 points as the Brumbies upset the Chiefs 3828 to end the Hamilton-based sides three-match win streak. Brumbies skipper and scorer Nic White, below, was delighted with his team’s performance, particularly clinching another win against a Kiwi franchise. “The boys really rolled up the sleeves tonight. Really proud of that effort. They’re an unbelievable side.
“We’d spoken about the intensity having to go up. We’ve had a couple of good wins against Kiwi teams but they were at home. It’s very tough to come away and win.”
The action rounds off with the Hurricanes hosting Fijian Drua this morning.