Highlanders vs Blues

CLARKE POUNCES FROM A QUICK TAP. From the penalty, Christie taps quickly and passes it off to Barrett. With a broken defensive line in front, Barrett puts ...

The home side reduce the deficit to 31-20 after two tries at the end of a pulsating half in Dunedin.

Join us at 7:05pm, for a classic north v south showdown under the roof.

Highlanders vs Blues Betting Tips & Expert Predictions. Blues backed to defeat the Highlanders and make a winning start to the new Super Rugby season.

I do not think it will be close either, with the Blues winning by 13+ points. The Blues are fancied to win their opener as they look to back up a strong campaign in 2022. - The Blues finished at the top of the table in 2022 (Super Rugby) - The Blues only lost once in the regular season in 2022 (W13) (Super Rugby) - The Highlanders won four of their 14 games last season (L10) (Super Rugby) Highlanders vs Blues Tips & Preview - Blues to slay the Highlanders in Super Rugby

Blues rout Highlanders as Mark Telea stars, Fijian Drua steal it late against Moana Pasifika.

[emphatic 60-20 win over the Highlanders](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/live-scores/otago-highlanders-v-auckland-blues-super-rugby-pacific-2023/669174689) to start their title pursuit in Super Rugby Pacific. The Drua then struck twice to punish their hosts for a yellow card to lock Sam Slade, Joseva Tomani (off a quick tap) and Olympic sevens gold medallist Masi (from a brilliant move off lineout, with Tomani laying on the assist) crossing to level the scores at 19-19 in the shadow of the break. Skipper Christian Lealiifano then put Moana back in front (34-31) with the only penalty shot of the match before the Drua produced the razzle dazzle to clinch the victory, Salawa and Samusamuvodre breaking down the left touch, and Ravutaumada laying on the magic to put Rakuro in for the winner. For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by The Drua got on the board at the end of the opening quarter when skipper Tevita Ikanivere drove over after a series of tapped penalties, and loose forward Mike Curry replied for the home side soon after to get them out to 19-5. It was hard to believe that these were the bottom two teams of 2022, such was the quality of the contest and the array of skills on show. [it was Pacific Islands rugby at its best at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300816447/fijian-drua-steal-it-late-against-moana-pasifika-in-thrilling-super-rugby-pacific-opener) afternoon, and it was fittingly decided by a dazzling try at the death as the Fijian Drua outlasted Moana Pasifika in a furiously entertaining slugfest. ['That is the arrival of a young superstar'](https://wwos.nine.com.au/rugby/news-2023-waratahs-winger-max-jorgensen-and-brumbies-rookie-corey-toole-put-on-show/a3e8471e-7c6b-4671-a6a2-ba8ee73e8d9d) For Aaron Mauger's Moana side that was very much up front, with the home side dominating the forward arm-wrestle, and getting a brace of tries from prop Abraham Pole and another from fellow front-rower Chris Apoua. [All Blacks winger Mark Telea](https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/rugby/debutant-winger-mark-telea-seals-the-all-blacks-win-over-scotland-with-his-second-try/clag08nto000w0qocx0dy3odm) was outstanding in a memorable onslaught of running rugby that left the gallant southerners chasing a game that always felt out of reach. In the absence of star All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith, Folau Fakatava made his comeback from a knee injury for the Highlanders, after opting against ACL surgery in his bid to make the Rugby World Cup squad, and he showed glimpses of his qualities. [This article was originally published on Stuff and is reproduced with permission](https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131326567/blues-rout-highlanders-as-mark-telea-stars-in-emphatic-win-to-start-super-rugby-pacific)