1
Blues v Brumbies: match was won by half-time, All Blacks can’t ignore Sotutu
The Blues have sent a scarily good statement to the other teams in Super Rugby Pacific with a masterful 46-7 win over the Brumbies in a top-three clash at Auckland’s Eden Park.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hoskins Sotutu scored the opening try inside the first 10 minutes as the Blues looked to take control. It was a bit of a rugby war that followed, but eventually, the Aucklanders ran away with it.
All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke scored late in the half and Sotutu was on the scoresheet for a second time as the Blues ran up a 24-nil half-time lead which basically summed up the Brumbies’ night.
It was more of the same after the break and while the Brumbies eventually got on the scoreboard, the result was never really in doubt beyond the 35-minute mark.
Here are some takeaways from the Blues’ big win over the Brumbies.
Match Summary 
1
Penalty Goals
0
7
Tries
1
4
Conversions
1
0
Drop Goals
0
158
Carries
46
6
Line Breaks
2
8
Turnovers Lost
16
5
Turnovers Won
3
The Blues won the match before the half-time break
When referee Ben O’Keeffe blew his whistle for half-time and both teams made their way off the park, the match was already over. In a literal sense, there were still 40 minutes to play, but the victor had basically already been decided.
There was a bit of a kicking battle to start the contest as both the Blues and Brumbies looked to find their feet and rhythm. The hosts looked the more likely to score early after going practically the distance during well-worked phase play, only to pull up short.
ADVERTISEMENT
Then, just a few minutes later, Blues halfback Taufa Funaki was yellow carded with the Brumbies within a metre of the try line. The hosts went down to 14 men and the Aussie powerhouse wanted to make the most of it.
But they couldn’t.
The undermanned Blues took a 7-nil lead after a try to Hoskins Sotutu in the ninth minute, and they looked the more likely to score next as well. While it took a while, that statement proved true with Caleb Clarke scoring late in the half.
Much to the delight of the Eden Park crowd, the Blues led 17-nil after 37 minutes, but the Aucklanders weren’t done – they just needed some help.
Brumbies wing Ollie Sapsford got it all wrong trying to reel in a clearance kick close to his own line. The New Zealand-born Brumby coughed up the ball to give the Blues a scrum close to the try line, and why they didn’t score right away, the hosts were gifted a lifeline.
ADVERTISEMENT
Seemingly looking to bring an end to the half, first five Noah Lolesio kicked a goal line dropout out on the full. That gifted the Blues another scrum which led to another Hoskins Sotutu try.
“They punishing the Brumbies now the Blues,” commentator Tony Johnson said. “A dominant first-half capitalising on errors.
“Hoskins Sotutu in for a try that makes it 22-nil.
“This has been an outstanding 40 minutes of rugby from the home team,” he added shortly after.”
The Blues were full of confidence and had all the points as well. It was a clinical first half which, barring a miraculous comeback from the visitors after the break, already decided who would win the top-three clash before the second 40 got underway.
Stop him if you can 😤#BLUvBRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/b1T1cLROhn
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 20, 2024
Blues enforcer Hoskins Sotutu sends another message to All Blacks selectors
The best player from the opening two rounds of Super Rugby Pacific was Hoskins Sotutu. Sotutu scored five tries in matches against the Fijian Drua and the Highlanders.
It was a statement from the Blues enforcer who hasn’t played for the All Blacks in more than a year. Sotutu didn’t even play for the All Blacks XV in 2023 which “lit a fire” in the dangerous backrower.
“It’s not about making any teams, it’s about proving to myself and proving to everyone else that I’m still a good player. Just that really,” Sotutu told RugbyPass earlier this season.
“There’s just a bit of motivation,” he added.
“I definitely wanted to come in and start strong. I don’t want to come in off the back of maybe an average end to Super last year to be on that downward sort of thing.
“It’s a hard thing as well to start strong and then you’ve got to hold it up through the season but you’d rather that than build into it.”
Sotutu sent another message to All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and selectors on Saturday with what will go down in history as a headline-grabbing double against the Brumbies. Both tries proved to be a catalyst for a special Blues win at Eden Park.
The Blues No. 8 also won a penalty at the breakdown and ran for more than 35 metres. It was the type of performance that warrants a return to the All Blacks – and it’s not Sotutu’s first match like that this season.
Sotutu puts the first points on the board 💪#BLUvBRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/dyDH6LaRSB
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 20, 2024
Sometimes you just need to take the points
When the match was close, the Brumbies had plenty of opportunities to pile on some scoreboard pressure of their own. Noah Lolesio had a couple of kickable opportunities to strike inside the opening 30 minutes of play.
Lolesio, 24, has been sensational off the kicking tee this season. The fly-half has been so good off the boot, as well as in general play, that the Australian should return to the Wallabies’ fold under new coach Joe Schmidt – but that’s another opinion for another day.
The Blues only led 7-nil when the Brumbies were awarded a penalty midway through the opening half. But the men from Australia’s capital decided to go after all seven points. Lolesio failed to find the corner, and while they won the lineout, the Brumbies lost possession soon after.
But that’s not all. In the 28th minute, the Brumbies were awarded another penalty from a tough position. Once again, the visitors decided to go for the corner. They won their lineout and set up for phase play but Hoskins Sotutu relieved pressure by winning a penalty at the breakdown.
“It’s the sort of game you’d think some teams it’d be all about ‘let’s not leave empty handed.’ The Brumbies have gone for the big blow and so far have got nothing out of it,” commentator Tony Johnson explained.
The Blues took full advantage. They went down the other end and after receiving a couple of penalties, Caleb Clarke scored to help double the Blues’ advantage.
This match had a test match feel to it in the lead-up to the Super Rugby Pacific blockbuster, but the Brumbies didn’t quite attack it like that. They’re an ambitious side who elected to roll the dice but it didn’t quite pay off for them.
Sometimes you just have to take the points when they’re on offer. This could’ve been a very different game.
Mark Tele’a proves himself again in a duel between two talented wingers
About 24 hours after losing the Rugby World Cup final at Stade de France last year, All Blacks and Blues wing Mark Tele’a was recognised as World Rugby’s Breakthrough Player of the Year. Tele’a was sensational for both club and country in 2023.
Tele’a had been fairly impressive again this time around, and while Caleb Clarke stole the show from an outside back’s point of view against the Brumbies, the wing’s duel with Wallaby-in-waiting Corey Toole deserves a mention.
Corey Toole, who really should debut for Australia against Wales or Georgia in July, didn’t run the ball once during the opening 50 minutes. Sometimes that’s the life of a winger, but don’t tell Mark Tele’a that.
In an interesting difference between the pair, Tele’a – and Caleb Clarke as well – both went looking for work. Tele’a had run for more than 55 metres in the same time span, which included one line break and three defenders beaten.
There’s a lot of hype surrounding former SVNS Series star Corey Toole, and with good reason, but Blues wing Mark Tele’a is still the king of the castle for wingers in Super Rugby Pacific.
Don’t blink, you’ll miss him! 👀#BLUvBRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/GFsyxTA2tz
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 20, 2024
The Brumbies are a pretender
Playing at the fortress that is Eden Park, the Blues were widely considered favourites for this match. Yes, both teams sat equal on 27 competition points with six wins from seven starts, but the Blues were tipped to keep the good times going.
The Blues did just that. They got the job done inside the first 35 minutes at Eden Park, and some teams would potentially take the foot off the gas when the match appears all but won. But not the Blues.
If anything the Blues took it up another gear as the Brumbies continued to look more and more lost. “There’s only been one team in it,” commentator Tony Johnson said in the 62nd minute.
The Brumbies didn’t have a lot of ball and maybe that counts for something, but the point scored against them tonight suggests that they aren’t ready to take the next step by challenging for a Super Rugby Pacific title in June.
There’s still time to turn it around, but at this stage, the Brumbies appear to be a contender for the title rather than a genuine contender.
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
219 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
16 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
219 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
219 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
44 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
16 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
44 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
7 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
219 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
7 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
7 Go to commentsWhat a weak article…absolute drivel and clickbait, well done. Will stick to rugby365 thanks
7 Go to commentsHonest, discipline, humility… Priceless.
2 Go to commentsSo many excuses. No mention of the SA number 2 being taken out illegally in the 2nd minute. That act of foul play had a massive impact on the SA game. Face it, NZ play pretty dirty very regularly, and it’s only since 2016 they’ve been held to higher officiating standards via stricter officiating and TMO reviews. They deserved to have a man down. Sorry. Fix the yellow and red cards and NZ will win more RWCs. Plus, there WAS a knock on invalidating the one try, so it was NOT a try. Period. Here’s a Kleenex…
219 Go to commentsOverheard conversation between NZ and SA rugby fans everywhere: We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! We’re the greatest! No we’re the greatest! Ireland are arrogant! True but they beat you! We’re the greatest! No! we’re the greatest! Etc. etc, etc.
44 Go to comments