The Blues made a statement on Saturday night, overpowering a confident Moana Pasifika side 36-17 and locking in back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025.
It was a dream start for the home side, who were on the front foot early and looking to impose themselves physically. Just three minutes in, the Blues illustrated just that with Ricky Riccitelli crashing over from close range to open the scoring.
Then came the play of the game. Moana Pasifika looked to attack from a scrum, but Dalton Papali’i ripped the ball clean and sent it wide. Beauden Barrett gathered, spotted space in behind, and produced a sensational chip-and-chase try regathering a perfect bounce and diving over to ignite Eden Park.
The Blues kept their foot on the gas. The forward pack muscled up and pinned the visitors in their own half. From a five-metre lineout, Patrick Tuipulotu dotted down for the third try before AJ Lam’s powerful surge set up Mark Tele’a just before the break. Barrett added the extras to put the Blues up 24-5 at halftime and move to second on the all-time Super Rugby points list.
Sotutu got the second half scoring underway, powering over after the Blues hammered away at the line. Moana Pasifika responded with a try of their own, but the Blues answered straight back with Kurt Eklund finishing off a well-constructed lineout drive. Moana added a consolation try on the stroke of full time, but the result was never in doubt.
Barrett was electric, carrying for 85 metres and taking charge of the Blues attack, constantly asking questions of the defence. Lam was another standout, making strong carries and setting up Tele’a’s try with a brilliant run, while also winning three turnovers.
The entire forward pack can be credited with a powerful showing disrupting Moana Pasifika’s set piece, earning multiple scrum penalties, and laying the platform for a well-rounded team performance.
The Blues are finding form at the right time, with a mammoth clash against the Crusaders down south next Friday night, a very important game in the context of both team’s seasons.