Taine Plumtree of the Blues celebrates after scoring a try. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The Highlanders setpiece fell apart in the second stanza, making way for a Blues blitz on a beautiful evening at North Harbour Stadium in Albany.
Blues winger Caleb Clarke butchered an early opportunity, who spilt the ball on the line while carrying it in one hand and fending off a relentless Aaron Smith. Nonetheless, they were under advantage and Stephen Perofeta – starting at flyhalf after a late withdrawal from Beauden Barrett due to a Covid-19 case – opened the scoring from in front of the poles.
After a frenetic few minutes, the Highlanders earned a penalty at ruck time and Mitch Hunt stepped up to slot a great kick from 45 out to level the scores.
Minutes later, Highlander Thomas Umaga-Jensen made a strong run and brilliant offload to centre partner Scott Gregory, who took the ball to within 10m of the line. After the Blues transgressed and the attack faded, Hunt chipped over another p
…. to be continued
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