The Blues are back on the board in Super Rugby Pacific, snapping a three-game losing streak with a 19-18 victory over the Hurricanes in Auckland.
The result gets them within four points of the top six, and critically firmly off the bottom of the Super Rugby ladder following the Fijian Drua’s loss to the Crusaders earlier today.
With four penalties and a commanding performance Beauden Barrett proving the difference, both sides took a while to get into the match, with the Canes also being denied a rolling maul try early on in the match.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – APRIL 05: Hoskins Sotutu of the Blues is tackled during the round eight Super Rugby Pacific match between the Blues and the Hurricanes at Eden Park, on April 05, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
After trading penalty goals, Brayden Iose got the visitors ahead in the 31st minute with a rolling maul try, before Marcel Renata returned fire with a try on halftime, with both sides going into the shed with 13 points apiece.
The arm-wrestle continued into the second half, with both sides struggling to grab the ascendency. With Barrett keeping the scoreboard ticking over, the Blues edged ahead by three.
However, a try in the 60th minute by Ngatungane Punivai saw the visitors reclaim the lead before Barrett scored his fourth and final penalty six minutes later to set up a grandstand finish.
Neither side was able to trouble the scoresheet, with defence stifling key moments of attack on both sides in the closing stages, before the Blues won a turnover after the siren to secure a much-needed victory.
With five players back from the casualty ward, it was a critical win for Vern Cotter’s men off the bye to get themselves within striking distance of the top six – with his side set to have two of their next three games on the road.
Likewise, the result will see Clark Laidlaw’s side drop out of the top six later tonight, with both the Force and Highlanders likely to take their place depending on the result in Perth.