ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Blues stride on as first Super Rugby Pacific finalist confirmed

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Friday Jun 14, 2024

The Blues have reached the Super Rugby Pacific final after beating the Brumbies 34-20 at Eden Park in front of an ecstatic home crowd. 

ADVERTISEMENT

This will be their second final in three years after falling just short to the Crusaders back in 2022. The Blues will be looking to emulate the winning team of 2003 as they aim for their first full league title in 21 years.

The home side came flying out of the blocks today as they took an early and comprehensive lead over their Aussie visitors, leading by 18 points after just 20 minutes. The boot of potential Wallaby ten, Noah Lolesio kept the travelling side in the occasion as the half drew to an end, but the Blues own Harry Plummer ensured that the deficit was never cut too short.

An improved second half saw the Brumbies ensure that the score line never truly got away from them, but the match was never theirs to win. Impressive performances from Rory Scott and Rob Valentini provided the Brumbies with a much needed foothold as they chased the game throughout, but the Blues dominance and cutthroat precision prevailed.

Final score: Blues 32-20 Brumbies.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JUNE 14: Akira Ioane of the Blues celebrates with Mark Tele’a of the Blues after winning the Super Rugby Pacific Semi Final match between Blues and ACT Brumbies at Eden Park, on June 14, 2024, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Blues stand-in captain Dalton Papali’i had the following to say about the upcoming final:

ADVERTISEMENT

“There’s a lot of old boys in this team and we’ve been together for so many years. We’ve been to two finals together. We lost one and won the other one. It means so much and we’ve got one more game to go.”

Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa pinned the result on the Blues impressive start:

“We weren’t clinical coming out of our end. We gave them three balls from our kickoff receipt and they made us pay through tries,” he said. “You can’t give a side like the Blues that ascendancy at the start of a game.”

The Hurricanes host the Chiefs tomorrow to decide which New Zealand side will face the Auckland based team in the grand final.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    'I’m really happy here, mate. I made the right decision' - Eddie Jones

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    Rassie Erasmus names his shortlist for next Bok captain

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    'He really doesn’t like us, which is quite funny' - Simon Zebo



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Harlequins winger heralded as the next big England breakthrough after weekend's performance

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans call for Stuart Hogg to face punishment after altercation involving ball boy

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Siya Kolisi makes young fans' day as he arrives at Cape Town school

View All

Funnies

  • 12 HOURS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    ‘Pitch is made of concrete’ - Fan provides much needed update following half time incident

View All

Amateur

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 95 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 118 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been an honour' - Wales legend retires from international rugby

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    'It's been horrible' - Wales captain to miss Autumn Nations

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    'It was an easy decision for me' - Saints star commits to future

View All