Highlanders
21
Match Complete
Blues
32
| S. Frizell |  | 75 | ||
| 56 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| 42 | | F. Christie | ||
| 40 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| 39 | | O. Tu'ungafasi | ||
| J. Ioane | | 35 | ||
| 30 | | T. Faiane | ||
| J. Ioane | | 29 | ||
| J. Ioane | | 20 | ||
| A. Dixon | | 19 | ||
| J. Ioane | | 14 | ||
| 11 | | B. Barrett | ||
| 9 | | F. Christie | ||
| 6 | | A. Ioane |
| 2 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
It’s a must-win game for both the Blues and Highlanders when they meet in Dunedin. Join The Roar for live scores from 1:35pm (AEST).
The Crusaders might be Super Rugby Aotearoa favourites, but the Blues will still be hoping to lift the trophy at the end of their Round 10 encounter. To do that, they’ll need to first topple the Highlanders today, a match which could prove trickier than each side’s position might suggest.
The Blues haven’t been great travellers in New Zealand in recent times, while the Highlanders will be both well-rested following last week’s bye and still buoyant from the previous round’s incredible comeback win over the Chiefs.
That said, breaking down the excellent Auckland defence will be a tough ask, although Josh Ioane’s return to the no.10 jersey could provide exactly the right spark to make that happen.
He’s got a difficult match-up on his hands, though, going head-to-head with Beauden Barrett. Barrett looked far more comfortable at first-five last week than he had at fullback, and Leon MacDonald has persevered with his star signing at first receiver and Otere Black on the bench.
Game information
Kick-off: 1:35pm (AEST)
Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Teams
Highlanders
1. Ayden Johnstone 2. Ash Dixon (c) 3. Jeff Thwaites 4. Pari Pari Parkinson 5. Jack Whetton 6. Shannon Frizell 7. Dillon Hunt 8. Marino Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Aaron Smith (c) 10. Josh Ioane 11. Scott Gregory 12. Patelesio Tomkinson 13. Michael Collins 14. Josh McKay 15. Mitch Hunt
Reserves: 16. Liam Coltman 17. Ethan De Groot 18. Siate Tokolahi 19. Manaaki Selby-Rickit 20. Jesse Parete 21. Folau Fakatava 22. Bryn Gatland 23. Jona Nareki
Blues
15 Matt Duffie, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Dalton Papalii, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Reserves: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18. Sione Mafileo, 19 Josh Goodhue, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Otere Black, 23 Harry Plummer
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
I watched the game (of course) but didn’t log online. The game looked like a bit of a mismatch to me, the Blues love their pudding, they are big mothers! Even will BB of target, never felt that the Clan could match the Blues. Game was a bit messy but I suppose all one can do is win. Anyhow, looks all over for SRA with the Crusaders 2 points ahead with a game in hand. Only way can be kept live until the last match is that the Clan cause the biggest upset in the history of the game by taking the Crusaders down in Chch next week. Yep it’s that simple.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Nugget will hate this. Not just the loss, the two tries to Christie! Hope to watch the match tonight. Two very good Aussie contests again this week. I hope that these five teams continue in SRAU. Looking again at the end of the Brumbies match, one team did key things right, one wrong. For the Reds the missed penalty, poor throw, then the wing seemingly trying to mark miles outside his 22 and getting pushed out, the dumb penalty. Brumbies the steal, getting the wing out, the ice cold goal. When you know how to win...
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
How fantastic that they let the kids storm the field after the match.
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Did he really trip though? :laughing:
75
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
mused6
Roar Rookie
Highlanders scrum folded faster than super man on laundry day.
56
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
55 mins. Wowsers, now THAT is how to demolish the opposition scrum. YUGEeeeeeeeeeeeeeee power by the Blue Boyz.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Ekland looking more and more like making Parsons redundant
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
B.Barrett's kicking blues are keeping the Highlanders in this match. 5 tries to 1 now but 6 points left from missed conversions.
42
Lara
Guest
Highlanders might be be outgunned, but they run some really nice moves....can see the influence of Tony Brown .....great coaching.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Nice game. Blues putting in some ripping tries; I imagine RT is doing backflips of glee at home. Blues score 4 tries to 1 and only just hanging in. It's like pre-1980's when tries, penalties and field goals were all 3 points. :silly: I was surprised the referee/TMO didn't look closer at A.Ioane's arm into the throat of the Lander's winger (J.McKay ?) as he motored through him for the 2nd try. If he was a Qld Reds player from last night he likely would have copped a yellow for that. LoL
40
39
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Would never have got the intercept if Smith hadn't tripped, that set the whole thing in motion.
35
30
Tree Son
Roar Rookie
Trash call. When a forward has to run 70 meters to score there should be a higher standard of review to take that away from the big fella