Blues stun the Highlanders 33-16 to make place in play-offs: Super Rugby News
The Blues defeated the Highlanders by 33-16 in their last round match of Super Rugby in Auckland. They have grabbed an important victory over the Highlanders to make their place in the play-offs of the current Super Rugby championship. The Blues scored three
tries in the game to lock the top spot among the other New Zealander conferences.
Eden Park in Auckland had an excellent game today for the Blues who lost four consecutive games in the ongoing Super Rugby before taking on the Highlanders. The victory has put the Blues again on top of the New Zealander derbies.
The Blues made a couple of changes in their team for the all important game. They included Chris Smylie and Lachie Munro in their starting line-up as Alby Mathewson and Rene Ranger were dropped from the side due to various injuries. The Highlanders also
changed their side from their previous outing in the competition and included Matt Saunders, who replaced the injured player Kade Poki.
The Blues were leading in the match with 17-11 at the interval and increased their lead in the second-half with a better display of play. Stephen Brett scored the first try for the Blues in the 27th minute of the match. He was succeeded by McAlister
and Payne during the 30th and 43rd minutes to take a decisive lead over the Highlanders.
The Highlanders played well until the end of first half but lost the momentum in the second part of the game. Matt Saunders, who replaced Kade Poki for their last clash of this season scored the opening try of the match just in the seventh minute of the
match.
Talking to the media in a pitch side interview, Blues skipper Keven Mealamu, declared the victory a hard fought one for his side. He further said that, “It was a tough one but ... at the end of the day we came away with a good win.”
The Highlanders captain, Jamie Mackintosh, was saddened with his team’s effort and said, “We made too many mistakes in our own half.”
The victory has confirmed the Blues’ position for the play-offs which will be played on July 1 and 2.
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