Blues in unconvincing win over Highlanders
- Apr 17
- 2 min read
The Blues have held off a determined comeback by the Highlanders to win 47-40 in their Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park.
The home side looked to have victory under control, however the southern side struck first and last in the game to make things closer than it should have been.
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Adam Lennox crossed after a couple of minutes through a sloppy lineout to give the visitors the lead before the Blues went back to back to back in reply, first Hoskins Sotutu marking his comeback with a try, followed by Anton Segner from close range.
Sam Darry went over fro a Blues' third, before some Caleb Tangitau magic brought the Highlanders right back into the contest, but at a cost.
The rampaging winger ran 60 metres, exploded through the Blues chasing line, and linked with Tanielu Tele'a to score at the corner.
However, after sending his centre away, Tangitau was hit late and high by Zarn Sullivan, forcing both men off the park, although the latter only spent 10 minutes on the sideline, while Tangitau's night was over.
The Blues came back strong in the second half with quick tries through Bradley Slater and a second for Segner, as he stormed through some weak defence to sprint 20 metres.
Looking dead and buried, Lennox brought the 'Landers right back in the hunt with another individual stunner.
The halfback ran from the back of the scrum, threw a dummy and stepped on the gas to give his side a sniff.
That was countered quickly, courtesy of Cole Forbes, who danced his way past several Highlanders tacklers and appeared to put the game to bed.
The visitors refused to lie down though, as replacement Finn Hurley swooped on a loose Blues pass and sent debutant Xavier Tito-Harris away.
Also on debut, Ben Ake gave the Blues more breathing space, before the Highlanders pulled two scorchers out of the bag, as Tele'a scored his second to bring it within seven.
The Highlanders almost robbed the game from the Blues working their way into the 22 before eventually knocking on to finishthe game.
Blues 47 (Anton Segner 2,Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Darry, Bradley Slater, Cole Forbes, Ben Ake tries; Beauden Barrett 6 con) Highlanders 40 (Adam Lennox’, Tanielu Tele’a 2, Xavier Tito-Harris, Soane Vikena tries; Cam Millar 5 con). HT: 19-14. Yellow card: Zarn Sullivan, AJ Lam (Blues).
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