Highlanders

29 - 21

Full Time

Blues

Blues vs Highlanders

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

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

80'

Cameron Millar comes on.

78'

Taine Robinson comes off.

78'

Mitchell Dunshea comes on.

78'

Penalty Goal

Sam Gilbert kicks the penalty.

75'

Highlanders make a substitution with Will Stodart coming on.

68'

Highlanders make a substitution with Lui Naeata coming off.

68'

Blues make a substitution with James Mullan coming on.

68'

Blues make a substitution with Adrian Choat coming off.

68'

Blues sub Cole Forbes comes onto the field.

64'

Mark Tele'a departs for Blues.

64'

Blues sub Corey Evans comes onto the field.

64'

AJ Lam departs for Blues.

64'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Sam Gilbert kicks the penalty goal.

64'

Highlanders sub Nathan Hastie comes onto the field.

61'

Folau Fakatava departs for Highlanders.

61'

Mitchell Dunshea departs for Highlanders.

60'

Highlanders sub Jack Taylor comes onto the field.

60'

Nikora Broughton departs for Highlanders.

60'

Blues sub Adrian Choat comes onto the field.

60'

Cameron Suafoa departs for Blues.

60'

Finlay Christie comes on for Blues.

58'

Taufa Funaki leaves the field.

58'

Red Card

Daniel Lienert-Brown (Highlanders) is shown the red card

57'

What a run here by Folau Fakatava as they get over the gainline!

57'

What a run here by Tanielu Tele'a as they get over the gainline!

56'

Taufa Funaki comes on for Blues.

55'

Finlay Christie leaves the field.

55'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Sam Gilbert kicks the conversion.

55'

Try

A penetrating move by Highlanders results in a try for Finn Hurley.

54'

That's a great try assist by Folau Fakatava.

54'

What a run here by Caleb Tangitau as they get over the gainline!

54'

Nikora Broughton comes on.

52'

Hugh Renton comes off.

52'

Josh Fusitu'a comes on.

52'

Ofa Tu'ungafasi comes off.

52'

Josh Beehre comes on.

52'

Laghlan McWhannell comes off.

52'

Conversion

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

52'

Angus Ta'avao comes on.

51'

Marcel Renata comes off.

51'

Try

The forward pack of Blues will be happy with that as the rolling maul barges over for the try.

50'

Finn Hurley makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

45'

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

43'

Highlanders make a substitution with Ethan de Groot coming off.

43'

Penalty Goal

Sam Gilbert kicks the penalty.

42'

Highlanders make a substitution with Lui Naeata coming on.

41'

Highlanders make a substitution with Veveni Lasaqa coming off.

41'

The second half kicks off.

40'

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

40'

Highlanders go for goal with Sam Gilbert taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

38'

Try

The pick and go results in a try for Highlanders as Sam Gilbert goes over.

37'

Fabulous play by Highlanders has led to Sam Gilbert being able to wriggle through a gap.

37'

That's a great try assist by Folau Fakatava.

37'

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

36'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Sam Gilbert will have to re-adjust the radar.

30'

Try

Brilliant skill shown there by Finn Hurley as they go over the white wash for a try.

29'

Trouble here as Finn Hurley breaches the defence.

29'

Trouble here as Rieko Ioane breaches the defence.

25'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

23'

Try

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

22'

That's a great try assist by Hoskins Sotutu.

22'

This is dangerous for the defence as Dalton Papali'i bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

22'

Penalty Goal

Sam Gilbert adds the points for Highlanders.

20'

Sefo Kautai comes on for Highlanders.

Saula Ma'u leaves the field.

The defensive line has been broken as Caleb Clarke goes through the gap.

Conversion

Beauden Barrett has kicked a conversion.

Try

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

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Highlanders v Blues 
  
 Round 2 
  
 Fri 21st February 2025, 10:05pm PST 
  
 Forsyth Barr Stadium 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Nic Berry

Points Flow Chart

Highlanders win +8

Time in lead

Mins in lead

43%

% Of Game In Lead

56%

84%

Possession Last 10 min

16%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Gilbert

29 - 21

75'

Gilbert

26 - 21

64'

Lienert-Brown

23 - 21

57'

Gilbert

23 - 21

55'

Hurley

21 - 21

54'

Barrett

52'

16 - 21

Riccitelli

50'

16 - 19

Gilbert

16 - 14

42'

Half Time

Gilbert

13 - 14

37'

Hurley

8 - 14

29'

Barrett

23'

3 - 14

Barrett

22'

3 - 12

Gilbert

3 - 7

20'

Barrett

0 - 7

Christie

0 - 5

Start

Win Probability

Highlanders

20%

Draw

Blues

79%

Ruck-Won by Jack Taylor

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Attack Profile

Highlanders

Blues

More Less

Defence Profile

Highlanders

Blues

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

47%

48%

3-6 secs

43%

38%

6+ secs

10%

14%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

66'

67'

69'

73'

78'

Highlanders

Blues

Highlanders vs Blues Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Highlanders face off against Blues in Super Rugby Pacific Round 2 on Fri 21st February 2025 at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 06:05 and is broadcast on Sky Sports. In South Africa it’s at 08:05 SAST on SuperSport, 19:05 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 17:05 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 22:05 EST on Flo Rugby 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 5 places in the league table with Blues in 6th and Highlanders in 11th 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.