Blues beat Hurricanes 19-17 in boost for ‘Tahs

Fullback Nick Evans has kicked a penalty for the only points of the second half to lift the Auckland Blues to a 19-17 win over Wellington, leaving both teams uncertain of qualifying for rugby’s Super 14 semi-finals.

Evans’ fifth goal from five attempts helped the Blues turn around a 17-16 halftime deficit and, supported by tenacious second-half defence, let them hang on for a win which sustained their slim playoff chances.

The win lifted the Blues to third place while the Hurricanes’ consolation bonus point kept them second with 41 points. Both teams must now nervously await the outcome of other matches Saturday and Sunday to find out whether they have secured a playoff place.

The Hurricanes needed a four-try win to be sure of hosting a home semifinal but the defeat at Eden Park, in front of a crowd of 37,000, all but ended that hope and left them only clinging to a top four place.

They can yet be supplanted in the top four, as can the Blues, by the New South Wales Waratahs, Sharks and Stormers.

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