Page 8 - Harry Plummer News Today

App users click here for latest updates. Blues 32 Highlanders 17 Highlanders (Dixon, Fakatava tries; Ioane 2 conversions, penalty goal) Full time 77th minute - The game is turning scrappy with both sides throwing their subs on and throwing the ball around. Garden-Bachop breaks again down the wing but knocks is on in contact.  At the scrum, the Blues dominate and win a penalty on halfway.  72nd minute -  TRY HIGHLANDERS to Folau Fakatava From the lineout five metres out and the rolling maul g...

Sam Darry will make his Super Rugby debut for the Blues on Sunday in their home opener. The easy option for Sam Darry would have been to stay exactly where he was, in a familiar home city, surrounded by family and friends, immersed in a proven Crusaders rugby development system and just wait for his chances to eventually roll around. But, like the proverbial salmon swimming against the current, the 20-year-old Dunedin-born Cantabrian decided to take the less travelled route and jump off the fa...

Leon MacDonald includes rookie lock Sam Darry as surprise starter to face Highlanders on Sunday.

App users click here for latest updates Hurricanes 16 Blues 31 Blues (Papalii, Carke, Perofeta, Ioane tries; Black 4 conversion, 1 penalty) Full time 80 mins - The Hurricanes have one final opportunity to attack on their own 22. After seven phases the attack comes to nothing and the Blues grab first blood.  77 mins - TRY BLUES to Rieko Ioane The Hurricanes go for a risky crossfield kick which Barrett and Umaga-Jensen make a meal of. It falls to Ioane who sprints 60m to seal the deal. Black co...

Hannah Peters/Getty Images Patrick Tuipulotu and the Blues have big ambitions in 2021, but as always will have to get past the Crusaders first. Leon MacDonald gets them. A lot. You know the people, rushing up to him at the supermarket, or the café, or in the street, full of hope and excitement, proclaiming: “This is our year.” The Blues coach tends to smile and nod reassuringly. He loves the optimism as much as he treasures the support. Who is he to point out how tough that pathway is and...

In all, there are seven All Blacks in the starting line-up for the Blues. But it’s the selection of the 27-year-old Lay, who previously played under former Blues coach Pat Lam, that has raised the most eyebrows. Getty-Images Leon MacDonald is looking for Karl Tu’inukuafe to make a big impact off the bench against the Hurricanes. “James has performed well for us in the preseason and Karl is going well and he’s got unique strength, especially around scrummaging,” MacDonald said. “...

The Blues have sprung somewhat of a surprise with two of their All Blacks props to come off the bench in the season opener

The Blues coach has plenty of All Blacks grunt to choose from in his front row, but has sprung a surprise against the Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Perenara has his faults, and constantly chirping the refs didn’t reflect well, but his decision-making and willingness to work like a huntaway dog on a high country station was so important for the Canes. And now he’s gone. Robert van Royen: TJ Perenara’s somewhat erratic passing won’t be missed, but the ‘Canes will dearly miss the yappy Perenara’s energy and leadership, and his ability to push out to first five-eighth in the second half, as he did so often last season. Marc Hinton...

No established All Blacks were involved during either of the three games, but the Hurricanes did have the services of Peter Umaga-Jensen and Du’Plessis Kirifi, who were part of the Rugby Championship squad. Each team rotated their squad heavily throughout their two 40 minute matches, with numerous uncontracted players getting the experience at a higher level, including Samipeni Finau who bagged one of the Chiefs’ three tries against the Hurricanes. Mark Tantrum/Getty Images Chiefs winger ...