Highlanders

20 - 60

Full Time

Blues

Blues vs Highlanders

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee has blown their whistle to end the game.

85'

This is dangerous for the defence as AJ Lam bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

81'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett has kicked a conversion.

78'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Blues is finished off by Rieko Ioane

77'

Spellbinding play by Hoskins Sotutu is finished off with a try.

77'

This is dangerous for the defence as Mark Telea bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

77'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett has kicked a conversion.

73'

Try

Mark Telea scores an interception try.

72'

A gap opened in the defence and Mark Telea took full advantage.

72'

Highlanders decide to make a substitution, with Kemara Hauiti-Parapara getting some game time.

70'

Highlanders decide to make a substitution, with Folau Fakatava being replaced.

70'

Beauden Barrett curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the right.

70'

Try

A series of passes by Blues results in a try for Dalton Papali'i

68'

That's a great try assist by AJ Lam.

68'

A gap opened in the defence and AJ Lam took full advantage.

68'

Blues make a substitution with James Tucker coming on.

67'

Blues make a substitution with Patrick Tuipulotu coming off.

67'

Blues make a substitution with AJ Lam coming on.

65'

Blues make a substitution with Caleb Clarke coming off.

65'

Blues make a substitution with Taufa Funaki coming on.

65'

Blues make a substitution with Finlay Christie coming off.

65'

Highlanders sub Freddie Burns comes onto the field.

63'

Thomas Umaga-Jensen departs for Highlanders.

63'

Martin Bogado comes on for Highlanders.

59'

Connor Garden-Bachop leaves the field.

59'

Bryce Heem comes on for Blues.

59'

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck leaves the field.

59'

Saula Mau comes on for Highlanders.

57'

Jermaine Ainsley leaves the field.

57'

What a run here by Billy Harmon as they get over the gainline!

56'

Will Tucker comes on.

54'

Pari Pari Parkinson comes off.

54'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Beauden Barrett kicks the conversion.

54'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Marcel Renata from scoring as they record the try for Blues.

53'

That's a great try assist by Finlay Christie.

53'

Andrew Makalio comes on.

52'

Rhys Marshall comes off.

52'

Dan Lienert-Brown comes on.

52'

Ethan de Groot comes off.

52'

Penalty Goal

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

47'

Mark Telea makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Ricky Riccitelli getting some game time.

45'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Kurt Eklund being replaced.

45'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Marcel Renata getting some game time.

45'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Nepo Laulala being replaced.

45'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Josh Fusitua getting some game time.

45'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Ofa Tu'ungafasi being replaced.

45'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

47'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert adds the two points for Highlanders.

47'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Josh Timu dots the ball down from close range.

46'

Josh Timu makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'

Spellbinding play by Shannon Frizell is finished off with a try.

46'

Yellow Card

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues) is shown a yellow card

44'

Fabulous play by Highlanders has led to Folau Fakatava being able to wriggle through a gap.

37'

Conversion

Sam Gilbert does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

36'

Try

Incisive passing by Highlanders is finished off by Mitch Hunt, as they goes over for the try.

35'

Fabulous play by Highlanders has led to Mitch Hunt being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Folau Fakatava sets up the try.

35'

Yellow Card

Cameron Suafoa (Blues) is shown a yellow card

33'

Adrian Choat comes on.

28'

Akira Ioane comes off.

28'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

27'

Try

Silky skills by Blues ends with a try for Rieko Ioane.

26'

Mark Telea played a key part in that try.

26'

Trouble here as Mark Telea breaches the defence.

26'

Trouble here as Rhys Marshall breaches the defence.

26'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

25'

Try

Caleb Clarke gathers the kick to score the try for Blues.

23'

This is dangerous for the defence as Caleb Clarke bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

23'

That's a great try assist by Beauden Barrett.

23'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

21'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Blues is finished off by Beauden Barrett

20'

That's a great try assist by Mark Telea.

20'

This is dangerous for the defence as Finlay Christie bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

20'

Penalty Goal

Sam Gilbert does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

16'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett converts the try.

13'

Try

A series of passes by Blues results in a try for Mark Telea

12'

Spellbinding play by Ofa Tu'ungafasi is finished off with a try.

12'

A gap opened in the defence and Finlay Christie took full advantage.

12'

Penalty Goal

Sam Gilbert kicks the penalty.

Penalty Goal

Beauden Barrett has kicked a penalty goal.

Sean Withy comes on.

Marino Mikaele-Tu'u comes off.

The defensive line has been broken as Hoskins Sotutu goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Highlanders v Blues 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Fri 24th February 2023, 10:05pm PST 
  
 Forsyth Barr Stadium

Points Flow Chart

Blues win +40

Time in lead

Mins in lead

% Of Game In Lead

87%

53%

Possession Last 10 min

47%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Barrett

78'

20 - 60

Ioane

77'

20 - 58

Barrett

73'

20 - 53

Telea

72'

20 - 51

Papali'i

68'

20 - 46

Barrett

54'

20 - 41

Renata

53'

20 - 39

Barrett

47'

20 - 34

Half Time

Gilbert

20 - 31

47'

Timu

18 - 31

46'

Tuivasa-Sheck

44'

13 - 31

Gilbert

13 - 31

36'

Hunt

11 - 31

35'

Suafoa

33'

6 - 31

Barrett

27'

6 - 31

Ioane

26'

6 - 29

Barrett

25'

6 - 24

Clarke

23'

6 - 22

Barrett

21'

6 - 17

Barrett

20'

6 - 15

Gilbert

6 - 10

16'

Barrett

13'

3 - 10

Telea

12'

3 - 8

Gilbert

3 - 3

Barrett

0 - 3

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

4.1

Entries

Attack Profile

Highlanders

Blues

More Less

Defence Profile

Highlanders

Blues

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

58%

63%

3-6 secs

28%

24%

6+ secs

101

Rucks Won

Highlanders vs Blues Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Highlanders face off against Blues in Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 on Fri 24th February 2023 at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 06:05. In South Africa it’s at 08:05 SAST, 19:05 NZST in New Zealand, 17:05 AEST in Australia and 22:05 EST in the US.

Highlanders won the last encounter but Blues are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by 6 places in the league table with Blues in 3rd and Highlanders in 9th as such Blues are favourites on paper.

Highlanders vs Blues Squads

The official squads for Highlanders vs Blues will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.