Blues turn up the heat against Canes
The game, played in Eketahuna, was an even match-up going in to half-time – the teams level at 7-all
.
The Blues once again fielded a mix of older and younger players for the start of the game and responded to the hot conditions by rotating the team throughout the four quarters.
Upon returning to the field after half-time, the team scored three tries within 10 minutes with Steven Luatua, Nic Mayhew and Charlie Faumuina each touching down.
Rene Ranger also made sure to put some points on the board in the final 20, while the Hurricanes were able to respond with a try from Julian Savea.
A final intercept try from Lolagi Visinia on full-time sealed the team's victory, 40-12.
Each of the 30 travelling players got game time, with coach Tana Umaga citing the team's rotation as having a big impact on the Hurricanes, who came in with some injuries.
"I'd say the score line was more down to freshness than anything, the Hurricanes didn't have the numbers to field two fresh teams," Umaga said.
And the heat certainly played a factor in each team's performance, with temperatures reaching more than 30 degrees.
"In the first half and during the first 20 minutes, I think the boys got a bit of a shock," he said.
"But every player performed well, it was a good all-round effort and the guys stuck to their plan."
"We got the result we needed and we didn't get any injuries, which was really important to us."
"I think the players will get a lot of confidence from it, but when it comes to numbers and the score line, we need to remember that it's just preseason and we still have a couple of weeks before the Highlanders," said Tana.
"So we won't get carried away with it."
The scorers:
For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Apisai, Savea
Con: Barrett
For the Blues:
Tries: Parsons, Luatua, Mayhew, Faumuina, Ranger, Visinia
Cons: West, McGahan 4
Teams:
Hurricanes: 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Victor Vito, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Mark Abbott, 4 Blade Thomson, 3 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 2 Motu Matu'u, 1 Reggie Goodes.
Replacements – from: Leni Apisai, Chris Eves, Ben May, Hisa Sasagi, Loni Uhila, James Blackwell, Vaea Fifita, Tony Lamborn, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Otere Black, James Marshall, Pita Ahki, Willis Halaholo, Jason Woodward, Wes Goosen, Malo Tuitama.
Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 George Moala, 11 Matt Vaega, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Jack Ram, 6 Jerome Kaino (captain), 5 Hoani Matenga, 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Namatahi Waa.
Replacements – from: James Parsons, Nic Mayhew, Sione Mafileo, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Matich, Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Male Sa'u, Charlie Faumuina, Josh Bekhuis, Blake Gibson, Joe Edwards, Tevita Li, Michael Little, Lolagi Visinia.
Referee: Chris Pollock
Source: @BluesRugbyTeam
