It wasn’t a classic this evening but it was dramatic and keenly fought between these two great rivals, the Highlanders coming away with a four-point win over the Blues.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Blues 12
Highlanders 16
This Round 3 match from New Zealand sees the Highlanders travelling to Auckland to play the Blues. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEDT) for all the action.
The Highlanders have had a poor start to 2017, losing both of their opening games at home, while the Blues are appearing in their first home fixture, determined to build upon their win-and-loss start.
Both sides will look to utilise their obvious strengths out wide and for the Highlanders, it’s a must to play an open, expansive game, as the Blues have a huge advantage up front, with several All Blacks returning to the starting side.
The Highlanders though are mobile and will try break the game down, eliminating any structured approach to negate the Blues’ advantage.
The Blues halves’ control will go a long way to deciding the outcome, as loose kicking and poor options will allow the Highlanders to bring their dangerous backline into the match.
There are several match-ups to look out for tonight, primary being Malakai Fekitoa up against rising star Reiko Ioane, while at halfback, Aaron Smith goes head-to-head with Augustine Pulu, where the latter will look to expose Smith on defence with his strong running game.
Prediction
I can’t get past the Blues’ forward pack, too strong over 80 minutes.
Blues by 6.
Join us live on The Roar for this game, and feel free to leave your comments on the match below.
Fujimo
Guest
I take it you'e not happy??
BlackWave
Guest
Good to see all my robust and insightful commentary into the quality of the blues play was all moderated out of existence.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Markus Vanzati! Finally a Swede in Super Rugby :)
Mark
Guest
You mean like that complete and utter loser Rene Ranger Overrated going forward and a complete and utter joke doing anything else That moron cost us at least one try Worst Player to have played for the Blues outside of Ihaia West
Mark
Guest
Yet another abysmal incompetent display from the Blues 10 years of this shite we have had to put up with Pat Lam/John Kirwan/Tana Umaga Stop selecting 2nd rate haven't won a thing coaches just because they used to be All Blacks Stop selecting moronic players like Ihaia West and Rene Range What a joke I don't know who is running the Blues but they are the dumbest people on earth We haven't got a 1st five We haven't got a Full Back We haven't got a Hooker Largest Commercial Base and Player Base and there are is only 1 All Black class players in this team (Kaino - who must be getting pissed off with how much he carries this side) If anyone thinks any of the others are anything great then they must be retarded - losers the lot of them Tana has the end of this year to improve or he should be fired And then a WORLD CLASS COACH WHO HAS ACTUALLY BLOODY WON SOMETHING should be appointed And the Board should be SACKED NOW
Aucklandlaurie
Guest
utterly pathetic performance by the Blues. Next week Tana needs to say to all the thick Auckland and North Harbour cretins that pose as Rugby players, "OK you lot you sit up in the stands next week (with Steven) and watch how its done. and let the Taniwha boys get back to basics and player a bit sturctured Rugby with a bit of focus and execution." the only good thing about to night was that I watched it on telly, and didnt pay money to see such an inept display of Rugby.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Thanks darling and give my love to ya long suffering missus... *S*
Diggercane
Guest
Cheers!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Haha!.. comment moderated … I’ll repeat and translate “No problem Chook .. golly gosh oh dash” …
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Haha!.. comment moderated ... I'll repeat and translate "No problem Chook .. golly gosh oh dash" ...
Highlander
Guest
That's our motto Chook
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks Digger for the blog ... read back ... but a game I sort of am pleased I missed half! ...
Digby
Roar Guru
It wasn't a classic this evening but it was dramatic and keenly fought between these two great rivals. The match was permeated with errors, neither side covering themselves in glory, the handling particularly poor, the Blues suffering the most as the Highlanders continued to pepper the back three and they continued to oblige by dropping the pill. Along with a misfiring Blues lineout, the Highlanders were able to dominate territory for long periods, scoring the matches only try in the first half, playing with greater control and urgency. The Blues never gave up, but their lack of organisation at times was telling, reflecting in their poor ball control and with the Highlanders happy to kick the ball out, it didn't get any easier, the major factor for the Blues coming back into the encounter was the horrible amount of injuries the Highlanders suffered in tonight's match, in particular Lima Sopoaga leaving the field will have the fans concerned and they lost a bit of their shape after that, but their desperation in defence held out a fast finishing Blues side, a knock on five out from the line summing up their effort nicely this evening. Thank you for joining me here this evening, I will be moving on to our next match, blog here - http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/03/11/reds-vs-crusaders-super-rugby-live-scores-blog/ Thanks all!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
It was Brett McKay .... its all his fault ... *S*
Machooka
Roar Guru
That was a performance from a bunch of total no-names :)
Old Bugger
Guest
Congrats HL....you're on the board now and that one's, forgotten already.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Nobrain... thanks .. Oh we have it alright... we have heaps of it ...
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Why... we have West! ... *S*
Nobrain
Roar Guru
The game was below NZ standars, it was clear that both teams were in need of the win in any possible way. The Landers will get a rise in inssurance fees fore sure.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks God for the Blues ... an easier game next week ... only the Crusaders in Christchurch, should bank a win there on this performance...