In a season that was threatening to unravel before it truly began, the defending champion Blues breathed a sigh of relief as they secured their first win of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a nail-biting 33-29 victory over the Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Saturday.
Key moments:
10′ – Harry Godfrey penalty (3-0)
17′ – Xavier Numia yellow card for no-arms tackle
19′ – Penalty try to Blues after scrum collapse, Rakete-Stones yellow card (3-7)
22′ – Rieko Ioane yellow card for offside
25′ – Ricky Riccitelli try, Barrett converts (3-14)
29′ – Harry Godfrey try, converts (10-14)
31′ – Cameron Suafoa try, Barrett converts (10-21)
42′ – Cam Roigard break to Blues’ 10m line
60′ – Kini Naholo try, Godfrey converts (24-21)
63′ – Godfrey penalty extends lead (29-21)
68′ – Hoskins Sotutu try, Barrett converts (29-28)
70′ – Mark Tele’a try after Barrett break (29-33)
75′ – Sotutu red card for shoulder to head contact
79′ – Kirifi knock-on from attacking lineout seals Blues victory
In a season that was threatening to unravel before it truly began, the defending champion Blues breathed a sigh of relief as they secured their first win of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a nail-biting 33-29 victory over the Hurricanes at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Saturday.
After starting their title defence with successive defeats to the Chiefs and Highlanders, the Auckland side found themselves in a fierce battle on a blustery Wellington evening that featured a remarkable five cards – including a late red for Hoskins Sotutu – in a contest that swung dramatically throughout.
The match began cautiously under swirling conditions at the “Cake Tin” with both sides struggling to establish rhythm in the challenging wind. Harry Godfrey opened the scoring with a penalty in the 10th minute, giving the home side an early 3-0 advantage after the Blues had turned down an earlier opportunity at goal in favour of an attacking lineout that yielded nothing.
The game’s complexion changed dramatically midway through the first half when the Hurricanes’ discipline imploded. Loosehead prop Xavier Numia was the first to receive a yellow card in the 17th minute for not wrapping his arms properly in a tackle. Moments later, his replacement Pouri Rakete-Stones joined him in the sin bin when he collapsed a dominant Blues scrum close to the line, prompting referee Angus Gardner to award a penalty try.
With the Hurricanes reduced to 13 men, the Blues struck again. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu burst through the defensive line, drawing defenders before offloading to former Hurricane Ricky Riccitelli, who powered over from close range. Barrett’s conversion extended the lead to 14-3, and the visitors appeared to be taking control.
However, the Blues’ own discipline issues soon surfaced when centre Rieko Ioane received a yellow card in the 22nd minute for offside, temporarily reducing the numerical advantage. The Hurricanes seized the opportunity brilliantly when Harry Godfrey collected a loose ball that had been kicked onto his feet, swerved through a gap in the Blues’ defensive line and raced away to score under the posts. His conversion narrowed the deficit to 14-10, bringing the vocal Wellington crowd back to life.
The see-sawing nature of the contest continued when Josh Beehre made a scintillating break for the Blues, being brought down just short of the line. Several phases later, Cameron Suafoa crashed over for the Blues’ third try, with Barrett’s conversion pushing the lead back out to 21-10.
Two late Godfrey penalties before half-time ensured the Hurricanes trailed by just two points at the interval, the scoreboard reading 21-19 to the visitors in what had been a chaotic first forty minutes featuring three yellow cards and five tries.
The second half initially developed into a tense defensive battle. Early drama saw Cam Roigard exploit a gap and break deep into Blues territory before being brought down 10 metres short. The Blues’ defence held firm during this period of pressure, showing the resilience that had been a hallmark of their championship campaign last year.
Peter Umaga-Jensen, who was excellent throughout for the Hurricanes, finally broke the second-half deadlock with a stunning break through the middle of the field in the 58th minute. He linked with Peter Lakai who was brought down just short, before the ball was spread wide to Kini Naholo who crossed untouched in the corner. Godfrey’s excellent conversion from the touchline gave the Hurricanes the lead for the first time since the opening minutes.
Godfrey extended the advantage to 29-21 with another penalty in the 63rd minute, this one from 47 metres out and sliding just inside the left upright, demonstrating his composure in the difficult conditions. With less than 20 minutes remaining, the Blues’ season was hanging in the balance.
The Auckland side responded with characteristic determination. After winning a penalty inside the Hurricanes’ 22, Sotutu took a quick tap instead of opting for the posts. The powerful number eight received the ball from Sam Nock just metres out and crashed over beside the posts, with Barrett’s conversion bringing the Blues back to within a single point at 29-28.
The decisive moment arrived in the 70th minute when Barrett, who had shifted from fullback to fly-half late in the game, sparked a counterattack from deep in Blues territory. He broke through the defensive line before finding Caleb Clarke who charged into the Hurricanes’ half. When possession eventually reached Mark Tele’a on the right wing, he produced a moment of individual brilliance, stepping inside Riley Hohepa with devastating footwork before accelerating away to score in the corner.
Barrett’s conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the Blues with a precarious 33-29 lead with ten minutes remaining. Any hopes of a comfortable finish evaporated when Sotutu was initially yellow-carded for a shoulder to the head of Lakai, which was subsequently upgraded to red upon review.
The Hurricanes threw everything at the Blues in the final minutes, winning a penalty that they kicked to the corner with less than two minutes remaining. From the resulting lineout just five metres out, Du’Plessis Kirifi appeared poised to snatch victory for the home side, but he spilled possession at the crucial moment, allowing the Blues to hold on for a vital win.
The match was marred by injuries on both sides, with the Hurricanes losing hooker Raymond Tuputupu early and fullback Kade Banks at half-time, both failing Head Injury Assessments. The Blues also saw openside flanker Dalton Papali’i depart after failing an HIA.
For the Hurricanes, despite the defeat, Harry Godfrey was outstanding, contributing 24 points including a try, two conversions and five penalties. Peter Lakai and Peter Umaga-Jensen were also impressive, consistently making ground against the Blues’ defence.
The visitors benefited from strong performances by their All Blacks, with Beauden Barrett’s switch to first five-eighth in the second half proving particularly influential. Tuipulotu led from the front with several powerful carries, while Tele’a’s match-winning try underscored his finishing ability.
The victory moves the Blues off the bottom of the New Zealand conference, though Sotutu’s red card will likely see him suspended for the upcoming clash against the Brumbies in Auckland. For the Hurricanes, who now have one win and two losses, the growing injury list presents a concern as they prepare to face Moana Pasifika next week.
