Highlanders vs Blues: Super Rugby live scores, blog

Match Report The Highlanders have opened their 2018 Super Rugby story with a good win over the Blues in Dunedin, 41 points to 34. In pre match talk there was a lot spoken about the form of both sides coming into this match. The Blues had won the Brisbane Tens and the Highlanders had some success against local rivals, the Crusaders. Would this form mean anything when it came to the proper business of Super Rugby? Equally up for debate was how badly the Blues would be impacted by the injury list they are carrying at the moment with over 10 players out including the powerful Kaino. In the first half it seemed that the missing players weren’t being missed at all by the Blues. The relatively inexperienced Gatland at #10 was on fire and seemed to combine individual attacking skill with game control. His opening try was lovely and were the first points of his 19 point tally across the match. While the Highlanders came back quickly the Blues looked the more exciting and confident side in the first half. It became a game of scoreboard poing poing with each team exchanging tries and always taking the attacking option instead of considering 3 point penalty shots. Skill levels were high and matched the level of ambition which was surprising for the first game of the season when often there’s a few errors on display. At half time it was 24-17 to the Blues and there was a lot of talk about how the away side were looking good for a rare victory against Kiwi opposition. The fact that the game ended 41-34 to the Highlanders gives you a good indication of what happened in the second half. The Highlanders executed a wise game plan in the second half forcing the Blues deep into their own half through a combination of good kicking from Aaron Smith and general attacking play. The Blues tried their best to keep coming back at the home side but when they had to start so often from their own 22 it was always going to be difficult. However a key factor in the result was the yellow card to Antonio Kiri Kiri. Both sides had exchanged tries early in the second half and the Blues still had their lead. But the high tackle from Kiri Kiri changed everything. It wasn’t malicious at all but it was high and under the new rules the referee had to send him to the bin. In the next 10 minutes things changed. The Highlanders scored twice, took the lead and really tightened the screw on the Blues who just couldn’t recover. Of the 24 points the Highlanders scored in the second half, 14 of them came during this sin bin and the Highlanders were ruthless when this opportunity came about. The Blues kept fighting to the end but in the last 15 minutes their game play became a bit loose and tried a few too many miracle moves, desperately hunting points. It was a tight finish in the end with the Blues having a chance with the final play of the game to score a try and draw the game but by this point they were out of ideas and energy and the Highlanders defence - which had been up quickly all game - kept working hard to keep the Blues out. Overall both teams showed signs that they were still coming to terms with the new rules at the breakdown but that’s not surprising. The Highlanders will be disappointed with the 27 missed tackles but happy to get the win on the board. One talking point from the game was the lack of impact from Sonny Bill. He really looked quite out of form today and you have to start questioning whether he is going to make the ABs squad at all. It was a very entertaining game of running rugby and in the end the experience of players like Aaron Smith and Sopoaga proved very valuable for the Highlanders but let’s not forget the impact that yellow card had. Would have been interesting to see what have happened if that ended up as just a stern talking to. It’ll be interesting to see how these sides perform across the rest of the season. If you had to forecast their futures based on this game you would expect a similar set of results to last year - Highlanders will go well but not challenge for the Grand Final meanwhile the Blues will win overseas but struggle at home.

Full Time 80' - Now that was an amazing game to watch. The Highlanders have beaten the Blues by 7 points in their first game and the opening game of Round 2 of the new Super Rugby competition. It was a story of two halves - the first was very fast with both sides running in tries and scoring plenty of points. In the second half though the Highlanders played a more experienced and clever game. They kept the Blues deep in their own half and took advantage of their opportunities when they came. A sin bin for the Blues was a key point - the Highlanders scored 14 points in that 10 minutes and really took control of the game. In the end the Blues didn't have what it took to turn a fast start into a good win but there was a lot to be excited about especially when you consider that they had 11 players from their squad out through injury. Full match report to come but for now thanks for joining me here for this game - there's plenty more rugby to come from The Roar this weekend so do get involved. Highlanders: 41 Blues: 34

80' - The hooter goes but the Blues have a line out on the Highlanders 22. Loose line out but the Blues re gather and look to smash through in midfield. It's out to Duffie who looks to spin through the defence but he's wrapped up and at the breakdown the Highlanders hold the man up and the ref gives them the scrum and that's the match! Highlanders: 41 Blues: 34

Penalty 79' - Blues have a penalty just inside their own half - the Highlanders couldn't take their own line out cleanly and then infringe at the next ruck. There is time for the Blues to go for one final attacking line out if they can get a good kick in. Highlanders: 41 Blues: 34

79' - Just 90 seconds to go here in Dunedin - Blues need a try! They are running from their own 22 and Duffie makes a great break down the short side but he runs out of room and the move is tackled into touch. Highlanders line out. Highlanders: 41 Blues: 34

78' - Highlanders go right to the back with a set move and it's nicely won. But Blues defence is solid and Highlanders end up spilling the ball and give the Blues a scrum But they are a long way from where they need to be - scrum in midfield on their own 22. Highlanders: 41 Blues: 34

77' - Lovely big kick and the Highlanders have a line out just outside the Blues 22. Highlanders: 41 Blues: 34