Highlanders rally but Blues hold on in 87-point Super Rugby thriller

The Blues are back in the Super Rugby Pacific winners’ circle after overcoming New Zealand rivals the Highlanders 47-40 at Auckland’s Eden Park. It was enough to see the Blues move into second on the live ladder, before the Chiefs host the Hurricanes on Saturday.

23-year-old halfback Adam Lennox broke the game open with a moment of individual brilliance inside the opening few minutes. The No. 9 caught the ball of a lineout, before burrowing through a tall, towering wall of forwards.

Lennox noticed a gap in a nanosecond, ducking and weaving through both sets of forwards in a 30-metre run to the line. Millar gave Highlanders fans even more to cheer about by successfully slotting the difficult shot at the posts.

But the Blues looked to strike back right away, controlling the possession and territory battles as they made their way upfield. The home side threw everything at their New Zealand rivals, but the Highlanders stood tall in defence.

Timoci Tavatavanawai saved the Highlanders from immediate danger by winning a pilfer penalty, which saw Miller kick the visitors out of their own 22. But, again, the Blues were relentless as they built up phases in attack.

England-bound backrower Hoskins Sotutu powered over from a pick and drive in the 10^th minute, with the successful shot at the poles from Beauden Barrett levelling the scores. Both teams then set up for the restart, which led to more points.

The Blues took the lead through Anton Segner before the 15-minute mark, with the Germany-born loose forward teaching fans the value of resilience. Segner slipped a few metres short, only to get the ball again a couple of phases later – fighting to the line on that second occasion.

There was a real moment shift from then, with the Highlanders looking dangerous with the ball inside the Blues half. The Highlanders had plenty of ball but it didn’t lead to points; the Blues ultimately added to their advantage.

Xavi Taele was brought down just shy of the line, before Sam Darry fought over for a five-pointer a couple of phases later. Barrett failed to add the conversion, but the Blues still held a strong lead with about 10 to play in the half.

But then, Caleb Tangitau created something remarkable from nothing, bringing the Highlanders back into the fight. Tangitau got the ball around midfield, skipping through a tackle attempt from Taele and beating AJ Lam with pace.

Tangitau threw a draw and pass to send Tanielu Tele’a over for a try-of-the-season contender. But with Tangitau down in backplay, Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan was shown a yellow card for a high shot on the Highlanders wing.

The Highlanders had a real chance to take the lead into the sheds, setting up for an attacking lineout well inside the red zone. But Sotutu helped the Blues secure a turnover on their own line, hanging on as they took a 19-14 lead into the break.

But the first seven minutes of the second half proved to be a defining period in this match, with Bradley Slater scoring before Senger raced away for his second. Segner showcased pure strength to break through the Highlanders defensive line, running 20-odd metres to the house.

With a 33-14 advantage, the Blues appeared to be well on their way to a comfortable win in front of their home fans. But Lennox brought the Highlanders back into the contest with another moment of magic.

Off an attacking scrum inside the Blues 22, Lennox took the line on, with Barrett and Taele waiting in defence. The halfback split the two and made covering defender Finlay Christie slip over, figuratively breaking angles during an impressive run.

Replacement Cole Forbes effectively cancelled out that effort with a Blues try four minutes later, before the Highlanders hit back through debutant Xavier Tito-Harris. The former All Blacks Sevens flyer got the ball in space, touching down just inside the right sideline.

It was a 14-point ballgame with less than 15 minutes remaining, before another debutant seemed to have sealed the result. Ben Ake scored deep in the piece, with the conversion extending the home side’s lead to 21.

The Highlanders gave themselves a chance of a losing bonus point when Tele’a completed a double with five minutes left, after Lam was shown a yellow card. Miller converted that effort, reducing the deficit to 14.

Lucas Casey made a significant break-upfield moments later, which led to another Highlanders try with time still on the clock. Soane Vikena was the one who registered the five-pointer, with the shot at goal making it a one-score game.

The Blues gave away a couple of penalties as the Highlanders extended the match well beyond the 80-minute mark, searching for the match-levelling points. But Lennox, who had been brilliant all evening, knocked the ball on near the left sideline.