Blues

2022 - 3 - 11

Post cover — Image courtesy of "RugbyPass"

'It sneaks in pretty quickly': Covid behind Blues' early-game ... (RugbyPass)

While the Blues managed to secure a 32-20 win over the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night, it was far from a vintage performance for the ...

Having already lost Harry Plummer for the season, Barrett’s unavailability would strip the Blues of their two first-choice flyhalves. “We were shuffling the team around, the guys hadn’t really trained in those positions. The Blues were incohesive and inaccurate throughout the first 40 minutes, dropping passes, kicking away possession and ultimately struggling to build any pressure on their opposition.

Advantage, Blues (Otago Daily Times)

The Blues knocked the ball on but a wonky clearance from Scott Gregory ended badly. The Blues attacked. Winger Mark Telea went around an opponent and got ...

He got the ball to Scott Gregory and the Highlanders pressed forward. They spun it wide to Dalton Papalii, who got the ball inside to Plumtree. Another bigger loss was the blown lineout move from 10m out late in the half. They confirmed a small number of players in the squad had tested positive. The Blues had to deal with a Covid-19 outbreak late in the week. The Blues attacked.

Live updates: Super Rugby Pacific - Blues v Highlanders from ... (Newshub)

Dawai has gone down injured. Into the 90th minute now. Highlanders lineout, Makalio throws. He throws over the top, but Vikena knocks it on. IT'S FINALLY OVER!

Covid blow: Barrett misses match as Super Rugby cases grow (New Zealand Herald)

The Blues are the latest New Zealand Super Rugby team to be hit by Covid-19.

It will require some changes to the playing squad for Friday night's game against the Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium." "A small number of players in the squad have tested positive for Covid. They are self-isolating and the remainder of the squad will continue with the strict protocols including regular testing," a Blues spokesperson said. In a statement, the Blues confirmed their Covid outbreak that is almost certain to continue to spread throughout the team in the coming days.

Second-half surge gets Blues home over Highlanders in Super ... (Stuff.co.nz)

A two-try haul to Taine Plumtree did the trick for Leon MacDonald's men in the Super Rugby Pacific clash at North Harbour Stadium.

The big blindside flanker, and son of All Blacks assistant coach John, in just his second match for the Blues completely changed the game with his two tries in the first 10 minutes of the second spell that took the Blues from 10 down to 4 up. Young loose forward Plumtree struck with two excellent tries in the first 10 minutes of the second spell and from there the home side were away. Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. The Blues committed eight handling errors on a perfect night for rugby, and were so off the mark it was hard to recall anything positive they managed through the opening stanza. They could not take a trick in the first 40, but sizzled home on the back of a two-try effort from 22-year-old loose forward Taine Plumtree, a big shift from the pack and some skilful play by their talented backs. The Blues were clearly unsettled by the match-day disruption which saw them confirm a minor Covid outbreak, and later with Beauden Barrett, Nepo Laulala and backup halfback Sam Nock all withdrawn from the 23.

Blues battle past Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific (RNZ)

Neither the Blues or Highlanders were prepared to let their Super Rugby Pacific clash at North Harbour Stadium end easily. Blues James Tucker during the ...

Barrett was replaced at first-five by Stephen Perofeta, after Harry Plummer was already sidelined with a season-ending shoulder injury. The Highlanders were awarded a penalty try in the 28th minute to further extend the lead as the Blues were reduced to 14-men for 10 minutes. Struggling at lineouts the Highlanders gifted the Blues opportunities to attack and they eventually made the most of it with a try for Rieko Ioane.