Super Rugby Pacific Round Fourteen Moana Pasifika v Blues 27 - 21 Loss

The Blues fought to the very end, but it wasn’t to be as Moana Pasifika claimed a 27-21 win at North Harbour Stadium. 

Moana controlled the early possession and territory, but strong defensive work from the Blues kept them at bay.  
 
A penalty gave the home side the first points of the match, but it was the Blues who struck first in the try column.  
 
A lineout maul inside the 22 got rolling, and though Ricky Riccitelli was held up just short, the referee awarded a penalty try  which put the Blues up 7-3. 
 
Hoskins Sotutu sparked the next strike with a clever inside run and slick offload to Patrick Tuipulotu, who powered over under the posts to make it 14-6. Moana hit back just before the break, cutting the lead to 14-11 at halftime. 
 
The second half saw Moana apply consistent pressure. The Blues defended valiantly, but multiple penalties kept the scoreboard ticking over, and Moana found a rhythm slotting two goals and crossing twice to take a 27-14 lead with 12 to go. The Blues needed a spark to stay in the match. 
 
That spark came in the 73rd minute. A quick tap penalty saw Tuipulotu go close before Finlay Christie popped a short ball to Sotutu, who crashed over to give the Blues hope late in the piece and setting up a dramatic finish. 
 
The Blues had a final chance at the death, a scrum five metres out but Moana Pasifika turned the ball over and closed out a win. 
 
Sotutu was strong all night, carrying hard, offloading smartly and scoring a late try. Joshua Fusitu’a was tireless on defence, notching up 23 tackles, while Tuipolotu gave a spirited captain’s knock. 
 
It was a tough loss, but the season isn’t done yet. The boys head into a bye week to reset before returning home to take on the Waratahs at Eden Park in the final match of the regular season.