Super hot Highlanders blow away Blues
The Highlanders hammered the Blues 34-16 in Auckland as the New Zealand derby curse continued for the hosts.
The Highlanders, who scored five tries to two, led 20-11 at halftime.
The defeat extends the Blues winless run against New Zealand opposition to 15 matches in a three year period.
Highlanders flanker Shannon Frizell scored a hattrick for the visitor, who led 20-11 at halftime.
The Highlanders are now third in the New Zealand Conference and fifth overall, while the Blues are rooted to the bottom of the NZ Conference and are 14th on the combined log.
Scorers:
Blues 16 (11)
Try: Jonathan Ruru, Tumua Manu
Penalties: Bryn Gatland (2)
Highlanders 34 (20)
Tries: Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell (3), Kayne Hammington
Conversions: Lima Sopoaga (3)
Penalty: Sopoaga
Blues versus Highlanders commentary and scores Live Match Page
- The Highlanders have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Blues, including the last four against the Blues, which is a record between the two teams. .
- The Highlanders now have back-to-back away wins against the Blues for the first time in Super Rugby, after a 16-12 win at Eden Park last term.
- The Blues are winless in 15 New Zealand derbies (D1, L14); however their last such win did come in a home game against the Highlanders (February 2016).
- Before Friday, the last eight Highlanders NZ derby fixtures have been won by the home side on the day, with the Highlanders winning three and losing five in that time.
- The Blues have the best success rates at both the lineout (91%) and scrum (94%) this season, however they also have the worst tackle success rate (81%).
- Conversely the Highlanders have the best tackle success rate this season (86%), despite being forced to make more than any other side (151 per game).
- Akira Ioane has beaten 42 defenders so far, the joint-most of any player (Damian McKenzie) and 20 more than any other forward.
- Three of the six players to make the most tackles this season play for the Highlanders; Luke Whitelock (90, 3rd most), Thomas Franklin (86, 5th) and Dillon Hunt (85, 6th).
Blues
15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Jordan Hyland, 13 Orbyn Leger, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Bryn Gatland, 9 Jonathan Ruru, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Kara Pryor, 6 Dalton Papali’i, 5 Jimmy Tupou, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi/Mike Tamoaieta, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Pauliasi Manu
Substitutes: 16 Matt Moulds/Leni Apisai, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Mike Tamoaieta/Sione Mafileo, 19 Ben Neenee, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Tumua Manu, 23 Matt Duffie
Highlanders
15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ash Dixon (co-captain), 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Substitutes: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Alex Ainley, 20 Elliot Dixon, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes
