Blues power on, Highlanders beaten in Ba
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The Blues put on a strong second half performance to defeat Moana Pasifika 45-19 at North Harbour Stadium to take second place on the Super Rugby Pacific table.
The win was set up by a dominant period before and after the break, which saw the visitors rally from a slow start and race clear for the bonus point victory.
Moana Pasifika were more than in the contest early and came up with a unique opening try off a set-play from the tap after several minutes camped inside the Blues 22.
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Taking inspiration from the Springboks, the hosts launched a midfield lineout off a quick tap, setting up the maul for Millennium Sanerivi to power over for the opener.
It left the Blues scrambling as they were stung early by poor discipline, giving away the first five penalties of the game.
They steadied themselves through prop Marcel Renata for a 7-5 lead, but a smart use of misdirection freed Sanerivi up down the short side for a power burst and his second.
North Harbour product Kade Banks put the Blues in front on his home ground, stepping his way over the line two minutes from half-time to give them a two point lead.
Captain Patrick Tuipulotu quickly extended the visitors’ advantage to start the second half, followed over by James Mullan as the Blues ran away with the win.
Moana Pasifika had little answer to the rise in intensity from their neighbours as Stephen Perofeta capitalised on a turnover to score to cap off his impressive night.
Showing off the embarrassment of riches at their disposal, Perofeta was replaced by Beauden Barrett, who crossed with one of his first touches of the night.
Chris Apoua got a consolation try for the hosts, his second try of the career.
In the end, it wasn’t enough to deny the Blues the bonus point, as Terrell Peita’s debut try sealed full points and kept Vern Cotter’s side in the hunt for top spot on the ladder.
They’ll face the Crusaders next Friday at the new One NZ Stadium, with a win putting them before the Hurricanes take on Moana Pasifika a day later.
Meanwhile the Highlanders were beaten by the Fijian Drua 24-14 in Ba after the visiting side initially set the tempo when Timoci Tavatavanawai and Jonah Lowe nearly combined for the opener in the first minute.
However the Drugy hit back throughTuidraki Samusamuvodre made an impact on his return, breaking through the line before centres partner Virimi Vakatava crossed in the ninth minute.
Lowe responded four minutes later in the corner to level the scores as both teams hunted for points.
Fullback Isikeli Rabitu eventually put the Drua in front, stepping past his defender and diving over.
The Highlanders would take the lead right before the break through Veveni Lasaqa, with the Fijian heritage flanker crossing at the back of the rolling maul for a 14-12 lead.
But the hosts were quick to hit back to start the second half as fullback Rabitu’s pace was too much, sprinting away for his second.
Turnover ball continued to hurt the Highlanders, allowing Elia Canakaivata to extend their lead to 10
The visitors almost hit back after Lasaqa nearly produced an unbelievable intercept try from a five-metre scrum, with the ball just hitting the deck before he could re-gather.
They would be handed a golden opportunity after a pair of mistakes left the Drua scrambling, and Rabitu was yellow-carded for a cynical foul on his line.
But somehow, the Drua muscled up and held them out for the 10-minute period despite several raids on their line. The most threatening came in the 68th minute when a clutch tackle dislodged the ball from Soane Vikena’s hands as the hooker latched onto an overthrown five metre lineout and dived for the line.
This buoyed the hosts as they closed out the game, nearly nabbing a winning bonus point after the siren, only to be denied a try for a knock-on on the goal-line.
They sit three points behind the Queensland side (23), who have a game in hand, and are joined by the Highlanders and NSW Waratahs on 20 competition points.
The Highlanders face a must-win match against the Waratahs in their next game.
Blues 45 (Renata, Banks, Mullan, Tuipulotu, Barrett, Peita, Perofeta tries ; Perofeta 4 cons, Barrett) con Moana Pasifika 19 (Sanerivi 2, Apoua tries; Havili 2 cons)
Fijian Drua 24 (Rabitu 2, Canakaitva, Vakatawa tries ; Armstrong-Ravula 2 cons) Highlanders 14 (Lowe, Lasaqa tries; Millar 2 cons)