Blues
33
Match Complete
Highlanders
26
| O. Black |  | 77 | ||
| O. Black |  | 74 | ||
| P. Tuipulotu |  | 73 | ||
| 63 | | M. Banks | ||
| M. Nanai | | 56 | ||
| 55 | | M. Banks | ||
| 53 | | T. Li | ||
| H. Plummer | | 51 | ||
| 48 | | M. Banks | ||
| 36 | | M. Banks | ||
| H. Plummer | | 33 | ||
| R. Ioane | | 32 | ||
| H. Plummer | | 23 | ||
| 18 | | M. Banks | ||
| 17 | | L. Whitelock | ||
| R. Ioane | | 9 | ||
| 2 | | M. Banks |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 4 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The Blues have broken a three-year streak of not being able to beat another Kiwi side with a hard-earned victory over the Highlanders at Eden Park 33 points to 26.
It wasn’t a beautiful game and there were errors from both sides but the Blues will be so happy with the way that they didn’t crumble in the key moments.
Final score
Blues 33
Highlanders 26
Match preview:
The Blues host Kiwi rivals the Highlanders in the opening match of Round 6 and will be desperate to break a 20-game losing streak against conference opposition. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of this exciting clash starting from 5:35pm AEDT.
In the three years since the Blues last beat another Kiwi side, it’s been a very tough time for the team and fans alike.
They’ve had some rough seasons and to be fair this season wasn’t forecast to be much better. However this game could be a great way to start rubbishing that forecast and climbing the conference ladder.
For this match the Blues have gone for an interesting starting line up with some young talent on the field and coach Leon MacDonald only making three changes from the Blues last game against the Sunwolves – the Blues only win so far this season.
What’s exciting is the experience and talent that is sitting on the bench which includes four All Blacks – Ofa Tuungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Patrick Tuipulotu and Dalton Papalii.
If the Blues can be ahead or in close contact with the Highlanders come the 50-minute mark then it will be interesting to see what impact that powerful bench can have on the result.
There will be a lot of expectation on the experienced shoulders of Ma’a Nonu who will need to support young gun Harry Plummer.
If the inexperienced fly-half can unleash the talent of Nonu and winger Rieko Ioane then the Blues could carve up the Highlanders.
Ioane has scored seven tries in his last four Super Rugby outings at home and the Auckland team need that form to continue.
For the Highlanders they are putting as much of their talent on the pitch from the first whistle with Aaron Smith in particular wanting to have a good game.
When he went head to head with All Blacks rival, TJ Perenara, Smith’s understudy got the better of him and steered his team to a narrow win.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Highlanders structure their attacking play and whether it’s Aaron Smith or Marty Banks who they launch phases from.
Smith likes to control the game with his passing, kicking and running with ball in hand, but he’ll also attract a lot of attention and so it’ll be important for the Highlanders’ hopes that Banks delivers a solid performance in his first match of 2019.
Prediction
It is three years since the Blues last beat a Kiwi opponent and ironically it was the Highlanders they beat back in 2016.
However this is not going to be repeated this time and it’s going to be the men from Dunedin who walk away with the win and the points.
Highlanders to win by 5 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:35pm AEDT on Friday.
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
Date: Friday 22nd March 2019
When: Kick off 17:35 AEDT
TV: Foxsports
Betting: Blues $2.26, Highlanders $1.64
Blues
15 Melani Nanai
14 Tanielu Tele’a
13 TJ Faiane
12 Ma’a Nonu
11 Rieko Ioane
10 Harry Plummer
9 Jonathan Ruru
8 Akira Ioane
7 Blake Gibson
6 Tom Robinson
5 Josh Goodhue
4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
3 Sione Mafileo
2 James Parsons
1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements
16 Leni Apisai
17 Ofa Tuungafasi
18 Karl Tu’inukuafe
19 Patrick Tuipulotu
20 Dalton Papalii
21 Augustine Pulu
22 Otere Black
23 Levi Aumua or Matt Duffie
Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (cc)
14 Waisake Naholo
13 Patelesio Tomkinson
12 Thomas Umaga-Jense
11 Tevita Li
10 Marty Banks
9 Aaron Smith
8 Luke Whitelock (cc)
7 Dillon Hunt
6 Shannon Frizell
5 Tom Franklin
4 Pari Pari Parkinson
3 Tyrel Lomax
2 Liam Coltman
1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements
16 Ray Niuia
17 Daniel Lienert-Brown
18 Siate Tokolahi
19 Josh Dickson
20 Jackson Hemopo
21 Folau Fakatava
22 Josh Ioane
23 Richard Buckman
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Brendan Pickerill
TMO: Ben Skeen
2019 Form
Blues – WLLL
Highlanders – DLLWW
Played 31
Blues won 16
Highlanders won 15
Drawn 0
BluesFan
Guest
He's a fair bit bigger than Taufua.
CUW
Roar Rookie
he plays like Taufua - no thought of body. just wonder how long he can do it before something goes wrong.
CUW
Roar Rookie
he can bring some leadership to Blues - they have no proper captains for long time. SBW will do it but for one year.
CUW
Roar Rookie
Highlanders have enuf centers , blues will have 2 leaving by next year most likely! and by 2021 Ioane is going to be so good some will want him in all blacks :D Blues are the ones who have had no proper 10 for at least last 5 years i can recall - maybe even more.
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think the big issue Blues has with 10s is that there has hardly been any old head to guide the little boys. i mean during last 5 years i can recall there has never been a 10 of note. all bit part players or little ones out of under 20. that is the difference at Crusaders - Merhtans Carter Delany ... to guide the Tom taylors Slades Moungas i 'd think the money will not be enuf for someone like Cipriani to come there - but am sure he will move on once world cup is over . he only stayed hoping for the last chance. Blues missed Pisi - when he went to wolves in their 1st year. somehow it seems the scouting is not that focussed or researched. they must groom TJ for long term captain. that is the other area rubbish with Blues. im pretty sure LeonM can make blues great again . he came from Crusaders :D
taylorman
Roar Guru
Was thinking that myself. Certainly pacy for a 6, and a lot of presence, though the hair might be doing a lot of that.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
TM, I think that Perofeta can make the grade. His immaturity stunted his progress last year but I do not doubt his potential. A pity injury stopped his starting this year as he was the incumbent. The forward pack is going Ok, the back row is very competitive. Pleased to see Gibson get through a game without adding to his injury history. I think he is long term captaincy material. Big Patrick should be just allowed to concentrate on his key role rather than saddled with captaincy. I don’t think the Highlanders will be the only NZ side the Blues will trouble, especially at home.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
The hoodoo of not having beaten a NZ team since 2016 is finally broken. Was something like 1120 days. Hopefully they can back up this win and the win against the Sunwolves with a couple more. They have 2 more home games in a row (Stormers and Waratahs) so good opportunity to capitalise. Melani Nanai looks like the best option at Fullback and TJ Faiane is getting better the more he plays. I am a big fan of Tom Robinson. He is a work horse and if he continues this way he is a future All Black.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
It was criminal a couple of years ago when Michael Little missed out on a Blues ( and even another NZ Super Rugby team). He was the best midfield going around in domestic rugby. Plays well above his weight and is very elusive.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Its a real concern with the Blues RT, point being that in well over 12 years 10’s NEVER kick on. Weve been through so many with promise, internally, externally, even from League, par for a few matches at best. Then you get players like Mo’unga who fall into place as soon as hit the ground. He’s gone from strength to strength from day one. Now weve got Plummer, Black, Perofeta...all seemingly shuffling in and out and all lacking critical skills of some sort or proving inconsistent. If the Blues win matches this year theyll win like last night, lead changing every few minutes and hanging on at the end. Theyre still capable of every high and low in the same match, sometimes even the same play.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well done Blues, good to get there finally. Was a typically close see sawing match that would normally see the Blues finding a way to lose it but they hung on, so a good tight win coupled with a good tight loss with the Saders, not a bad start considering. A couple of mixed ones in between but hey, that doesnt fir the narrative. Jurys most definitely still out...
Julz
Guest
I'll still have him at 10. Blues just need a level headed 10 that can also kick..
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think he would slot in nicely at the Highlanders too.
Andrew Johnson
Guest
Good call on Little and Parker! I love the way they both play, would slot in nicely at the blues
CUW
Roar Rookie
Blues shud target Hayden Parker for 2021 :D :P and Little as well. Maa Nonu is not the guy he was in 2015 for sure - some of the stepping and breaking not there..... but he battles on for 80 , which is good PT came on and played well and at least Gibson survived to play another day :D Akira still playing in patches - he really needs to do more. I think TJ shud captain when SBW is not there.
CUW
Roar Rookie
Carter medically unfit - as Racing 92 found out :D
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Thanks KP ... a long time between drinks
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Hahaha Thugby! Brett is the Blues “Jonah”, when it comes from tipping! Wasn’t a vintage performance at all, Blues need a No 10 to run proceedings. I thought that Stephen Perofeta was that guy, young inexperienced but talented .. made some strides last year but now out injured. Otere Black, like Perofeta were standout players for NZ U20’s but to date neither have really kicked on ... yet! Third choice is young Harry Plummer but even more raw than the other two. If he could have kicked his goals, Blues would have been outta sight tonight and possibly would also have had the biggest S15 scalp of all in Round One of S15 this year. The Blues should have at least drawn with the Crusaders in R1 and could have won the match with the final kick for goal. Young Plummer had a conversion to draw from virtually in front and then one in front but 46 metres out to win the game with a couple of minutes to go ... he missed them both! Still Blues may cop the wrong end of the stick with a few jokes but they will not be easy beats (particularly at home) in 2019
Julz
Guest
Good much needed win to end the drought against nz teams. Still need a reliable goal kicker. Is Dan Carter available though?!? I'll have him over the current lot.
TimO
Roar Rookie
Im liking the way the comp seems more even this year. On their day, any team can beat any other team (except the Sauders, unfortunately, who are a cut above).