The Highlanders beat the Blues earlier this season in April and that victory ended a run of six defeats for the Highlanders.
Match detail
We are waiting for the kick off.
The Blues kick off and we are underway.
2.00: First penalty of the match goes to the Highladers on the half way line. Noakes kicks for touch and the Highlanders have a 5m line out.
5.00: Blues are defending as the Highlanders edge the territory. Both teams still testing each other's defence.
7.00: enalty to the Blues in front of the posts. Gareth Anscombe takes the shot and nails it. The Blues are on the board.
11.00: Another penalty for the Blues for not binding at the scrum. They kick for touch. Not a lot has happened yet folks as the game has not started flowing yet. They kick for touch.
13.00: The Highlanders start to click and they go over the line but they are held up so we have a 5m scrum.
15.00:The Blues defend the scrum and win a penalty. Jimmy Cowan is not happy but the Blues clear the ball.
17.00: Alby Mathewson concedes a penalty so instead of kicking a very kickable penalty the Highlanders choose a scrum. The Highlanders are slowly turning blue as they field was painted late apparently and the paint is coming off on them.
18.00: The Highlanders win a penalty from the scrum. Cowan takes it from the wrong spot so is called back. This time they will kick. Highlanders dominating territory now. Noakes slots the penalty and the scores are level.
24.00: The Highlanders chip the ball ahead well into their own half. Ben Smith chases but Hadleigh Parkes wins the race but the ball pops out behind him as the ruck forms and Tamati Ellison scores! TRY!
25.00: Chris Noakes fails to add the conversion but the Highlanders lead.
31.00: Penalty to the Blues. Gareth Anscombe will kick from about 40m out on the angle. He takes the shot and nails it cutting the deficit to two. That kick also brings up 100 points for Anscombe for the season.
34.00: Great play here from the Highlanders as Burleigh pops a pass out to Kurt Baker who races away, he is caught short but passes to Hosea Gear who bursts away and scores. TRY.
36.00: Chris Noakes adds the conversion.
38.00: The Blues have a penalty kick but it hits the posts. No change in the score.
40.00: The siren sounds for half time. It is half time.
The half time score was Blues 6 Highlanders 15
40.00: The second half gets underway with Ben Smith taking the kick off and passing to Hosea Gear who runs in the first try of the half. That's Gear's second today and his 100th overall in Super Rugby.
41.00: Chris Noakes fails to add the conversion.
45.00: Ali Williams is about to come on for his 100th Super Rugby cap. He does and there is some applause.
47.00: Blues win a line out in the Highlanders 25. They move the ball across the field and concede a penalty. Cowan clears the ball.
53.00: Blues second half possession is 67% but Highlanders territory is 56%.
57.00: Ma'a Nonu sends a big pass wide out to David Raikuna on the wing but the Ref immediately (and correctly) calls it forward. Raikuna fails to hear the call and races away to score. He is then called back. That's about the closest the Blues have come.
58.00: The Highlanders chip ahead and chase but the touchline wins.
59.00: From the following line out Adam Thomson takes the ball and dives over the line and scores. TRY....Bonus point try. The Blues went to the back but the Highlanders read it perfectly.
59.00: Chris Noakes adds the conversion.
61.00: The Blues try to hit back and almost score a try. Ma'a Nonu is making a big impact from the bench. Phil Burleigh fails to roll away in defence so he is shown a yellow card. Blues run the ball. Actually no, they choose to scrum even though they have an extra man in the backs. Mad.
63.00: The Highlanders win the scrum and Smith kicks it out to clear.
65.00: The Blues get some hope as Tevita Mailau scores the Blues first try. Gareth Anscombe nails the conversion. The Blues trail by 14.
71.00: Phil Burleigh comes back on but is replaced by Kendrick Lynn. The Blues are keeping the ball tight and using the maul.
73.00: The Blues get the maul to the posts, it breaks up and Weepu dives for the line but is held up.
76.00: Gareth Anscombe hobbles off. The Blues keep hold of the ball and keep flirting with the line. Eventually Tony Woodcock bashes over. TRY!
77.00: Lachie Munro takes the conversion from the touchline and nails it. The Blues could draw this.
79.00: The Highlanders win the ball back and slow it right down. They get into the Blues half and keep it tight.
80.00: The Highlanders grind it out and wind down the clock. Thats it. Highlanders win.
The full time score is Blues 20 (6) Highlanders 27 (15)
Scorers
Blues
Tries - T. Mailau, T Woodcock
Pen - G Anscombe 2
Con - G Anscombe. L Munro
Drop -
Cards -
Highlanders
Tries - T. Ellison, H Gear 2, A Thomson
Pen - C Noakes
Con - C Noakes 2
Drop -
Cards - P Burleigh (yellow 62nd minute)
Match Officials
Referee: Glen Jackson
Assistant Ref 1:Nick Briant
Assistant Ref 2:Ben Skeen
TMO : Bryce Lawrence
Teams
Blues
1. Tony Woodcock, 2. James Parsons, 3. Tevita Mailau, 4. Liaki Moli, 5. Filo Paulo, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Luke Braid (c) / Daniel Braid, 8. Peter Saili / Luke Braid, 9. Alby Mathewson, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 11. Sherwin Stowers, 12. Michael Hobbs, 13. Francis Saili, 14. David Raikuna, 15. Hadleigh Parkes.
Replacements: 16. Tom McCartney, 17. Angus Ta'avao, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Daniel Braid / Peter Saili / Dan Pryor, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Ma'a Nonu, 22. Lachie Munro.
Highlanders
1 Jamie Mackintosh (c) 2 Andrew Hore 3 Ma'afu Fia 4 Jarrad Hoeata 5 Hoani MacDonald 6 Adam Thomson 7 Tim Boys 8 Nick Crosswell 9 Jimmy Cowan 10 Chris Noakes 11 Hosea Gear 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Tamati Ellison 14 Kurt Baker 15 Ben Smith
Replacements : 16 Jason Rutledge 17 Bronson Murray 18 Josh Bekhuis 19 Scott Fuglistaller 20 Aaron Smith 21 Mike Delany 22 Kenny Lynn
.jpg)
