The Blues backed up the wāhine gritty performance with a nail-biter against the Brumbies, but despite a strong start, they couldn’t hold on as the visitors clawed their way back to snatch a 21-20 win at Eden Park, the first in 12 years.
The Blues were on fire early, with Beauden Barrett looking at home in his prized first-five jersey for the first time this season. He was asking plenty of questions of the Brumbies' defence and facilitating the Blues' attack. His brilliance was rewarded with a five-pointer, as he slid through the defensive line just outside the 22, accelerating through a hole to put the boys up 10-3.
The Brumbies responded quickly to level things up, and from there, it was a real arm wrestle. The Blues looked more threatening on attack, but small errors and strong breakdown work from the visitors kept the game on a knife edge.
The play of the game came late in the first half, when Cole Forbes found a gap from deep in our own half and made a massive run into the Brumbies' 22. From there, the boys were patient, working through a couple of phases before Angus Ta’avao powered over for the try.
Minutes later, the boys were on the front foot again. Finlay Christie sold a dummy and tipped the ball onto Cameron Suafoa, who made a charging run into the 22. He found Mark Telea on the outside, who fired it back inside to Rieko Ioane, crossing for his 50th Super Rugby try and giving the Blues a 20-10 lead at half-time.
Tragically, Barrett had to leave the game at half-time with a fractured arm, and the Blues' attack struggled to regain its rhythm. The Brumbies chipped away with an early penalty goal and followed it up with a try, bringing the game within two points at 20-18.
The boys defended valiantly throughout the second half, halting raid after raid from the Brumbies. But after a dominant scrum by the visitors in the dying moments earning them a penalty and a shot at goal, the Brumbies took a 21-20 lead and stole the game.
Beauden Barrett was electric in the first half, carrying for 65 metres and manipulating the Brumbies' defence with ease. Forbes was a standout on attack, notching up 78 metres and providing a massive break that led to Ta’avao’s try. Suafoa and Anton Segnar were defensive workhorses, combining for 49 tackles and carrying hard through the middle of the park.
It was a tough result, but the boys will be eager to bounce back next week as they look to get back to winning ways as they take on the red hot Chiefs in Hamilton, don’t miss it.