Highlanders

29 - 37

Full Time

Blues

Blues vs Highlanders

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

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

82'

Conversion

Ajay Faleafaga converts the try.

82'

Try

Ajay Faleafaga gathers the kick to score the try for Highlanders.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Ajay Faleafaga bursts through to advance the Highlanders attack.

80'

Rhys Patchell sets up the try.

80'

Yellow Card

Sam Nock (Blues) is shown a yellow card

79'

Cole Forbes comes on.

76'

Zarn Sullivan comes off.

76'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Soane Vikena getting some game time.

74'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Ricky Riccitelli being replaced.

74'

Highlanders make a substitution with Ajay Faleafaga coming on.

69'

Highlanders make a substitution with Tanielu Tele'a coming off.

69'

Stephen Perofeta curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

68'

Try

Hoskins Sotutu scores the try from close range.

67'

Sam Nock sets up the try.

67'

The defensive line has been broken as Josh Fusitu'a goes through the gap.

64'

Blues sub Adrian Choat comes onto the field.

63'

Laghlan McWhannell departs for Blues.

63'

Conversion

The Highlanders supporters go wild as Sam Gilbert successfully kicks the conversion.

63'

Try

Great hands by Highlanders leads to a try for Timoci Tavatavanawai

62'

Spellbinding play by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is finished off with a try.

62'

Jonah Lowe comes on for Highlanders.

59'

Jona Nareki leaves the field.

59'

Nathan Hastie comes on.

52'

Folau Fakatava comes off.

52'

Angus Ta'avao comes on.

52'

Marcel Renata comes off.

52'

Penalty Goal

Stephen Perofeta does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

52'

Stephen Perofeta makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

48'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Sam Nock getting some game time.

47'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Taufa Funaki being replaced.

47'

Blues make a substitution with Harry Plummer coming on.

44'

Blues make a substitution with Bryce Heem coming off.

44'

Highlanders make a substitution with Ricky Jackson coming on.

43'

Highlanders make a substitution with Henry Bell coming off.

43'

Highlanders make a substitution with Dan Lienert-Brown coming on.

43'

Highlanders make a substitution with Ethan de Groot coming off.

43'

Highlanders make a substitution with Saula Ma'u coming on.

43'

Highlanders make a substitution with Jermaine Ainsley coming off.

43'

Conversion

Stephen Perofeta adds the two points for Blues.

43'

Try

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

42'

Bryce Heem makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

41'

Fabulous play by Blues has led to Mark Tele'a being able to wriggle through a gap.

41'

Highlanders make a substitution with Nikora Broughton coming on.

40'

Highlanders make a substitution with Hugh Renton coming off.

40'

Blues sub Josh Fusitu'a comes onto the field.

40'

Ofa Tu'ungafasi departs for Blues.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

42'

Conversion

Stephen Perofeta adds the two points for Blues.

42'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Mark Tele'a dots the ball down from close range.

42'

Yellow Card

Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders) is shown a yellow card

40'

Fabulous play by Blues has led to Stephen Perofeta being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

Conversion

Stephen Perofeta does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

37'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Blues as Taufa Funaki goes over.

36'

That's a great try assist by Hoskins Sotutu.

36'

Fabian Holland comes on for Highlanders.

34'

Pari Pari Parkinson leaves the field.

34'

Rhys Patchell has penalty kick attempt at goal but pushes it to the right hand side of the posts.

33'

Sam Gilbert takes the conversion but it hits the upright and bounces away, kick unsuccessful.

26'

Try

Rhys Patchell gathers the kick to score the try for Highlanders.

25'

Folau Fakatava played a key part in that try.

25'

Penalty Goal

Stephen Perofeta does the business as their penalty goal attempt goes over.

19'

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

13'

Sam Gilbert has hooked the conversion to the right of the posts.

11'

Try

A series of passes by Highlanders results in a try for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

10'

Jona Nareki played a key part in that try.

10'

A gap opened in the defence and Jona Nareki took full advantage.

10'

Josh Beehre comes on for Blues.

Sam Darry leaves the field.

Stephen Perofeta hits the right post with the conversion, failing to add the two points.

Try

Blues are only a few metres out, surely they must score! And they do with Hoskins Sotutu touching down.

That's a great try assist by Taufa Funaki.

Sam Gilbert has hooked the conversion to the left of the posts.

Try

Great hands by Highlanders leads to a try for Sean Withy

Folau Fakatava sets up the try.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Highlanders v Blues 
  
 Round 2 
  
 Thu 29th February 2024, 11:00pm PST 
  
 AAMI Park

Points Flow Chart

Blues win +8

Time in lead

Mins in lead

38%

% Of Game In Lead

50%

71%

Possession Last 10 min

29%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Faleafaga

29 - 37

82'

Faleafaga

27 - 37

80'

Nock

79'

22 - 37

Sotutu

67'

22 - 37

Gilbert

22 - 32

63'

Tavatavanawai

20 - 32

62'

Perofeta

52'

15 - 32

Perofeta

43'

15 - 29

Sotutu

42'

15 - 27

Half Time

Perofeta

42'

15 - 22

Tele'a

42'

15 - 20

Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

15 - 15

40'

Perofeta

37'

15 - 15

Funaki

36'

15 - 13

Patchell

15 - 8

25'

Perofeta

19'

10 - 8

Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens

10 - 5

10'

Sotutu

5 - 5

Withy

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.1

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.8

Entries

Attack Profile

Highlanders

Blues

More Less

Defence Profile

Highlanders

Blues

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

55%

75%

3-6 secs

32%

18%

6+ secs

13%

Rucks Won

136

Last 5 Penalties

71'

73'

74'

76'

79'

Highlanders

Blues

Highlanders vs Blues Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Highlanders face off against Blues in Super Rugby Pacific Round 2 on Thu 29th February 2024 at AAMI Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 07:00. In South Africa it’s at 09:00 SAST, 20:00 NZST in New Zealand, 18:00 AEST in Australia and 23:00 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 just 4 places in the league table with Blues in 2nd and Highlanders in 6th underlining just how tight this match could be.

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.