Blues edge Hurricanes 19-18 in physical encounter at Eden Park

Blues snapped a three-round winless streak with a razor-thin 19-18 victory over the Hurricanes in a fiercely contested Super Rugby Pacific encounter at Eden Park.

In a match that swung with every penalty and defensive stand, it was the boot of Beauden Barrett that ultimately proved decisive as the Blues held off a late Hurricanes push.

The opening exchanges were bruising, with both teams opting for a physical, tactical style of play. The Blues suffered an early blow when captain Patrick Tuipulotu was yellow-carded in the 14th minute for a high cleanout.

Despite being down to 14 men, they conceded only a penalty — Riley Hohepa converting from in front to give the Hurricanes a 3-0 lead.

The visitors made their pressure count in the 30th minute, when flanker Brayden Iose powered over following a clinical lineout drive. The conversion was off, but the Hurricanes led 8-0.

The Blues bounced back almost immediately. After sustained pressure close to the line, tighthead prop Marcel Renata barged over in the 35th minute, and Barrett’s conversion reduced the deficit to 8-7.

Two minutes later, Barrett landed a penalty to put the Blues ahead 10-8, but the Hurricanes answered just before halftime with another penalty from Hohepa, sending the teams to the break locked at 10-11.

The second half was a tactical arm wrestle, dominated by tight carries and structured defense. Beauden Barrett nudged the Blues ahead again in the 43rd minute with a penalty, but the Hurricanes struck back with their best attacking sequence of the match.

In the 55th minute, a slick move through the backline sent winger Ngantungane Punivai into space, and he finished well in the corner. Hohepa added the extras to swing the lead back in the Hurricanes’ favor at 18-13.

Barrett closed the gap to 16-18 in the 60th minute with another penalty, then reclaimed the lead in the 67th with his fourth successful kick from the tee, putting the Blues up 19-18.

The closing minutes were intense. The Hurricanes pushed hard, camping inside the Blues’ 22, but errors at crucial moments and determined defensive work — particularly from the Blues pack — denied them the match-winning score.