The Blues have finally gotten their Super Rugby Pacific title defense back on track with a thrilling 33-28 victory over the Hurricanes, marking their first win of the 2025 season. After suffering two losses at the start of the season, the team showcased resilience with this hard-fought win at Wellington's Sky Stadium on March 1, 2025.
Desperate for their first points, the Blues started strong, taking advantage of early discipline issues within the Hurricanes. A dominant scrum allowed them to earn a penalty try, putting them on the board before the Hurricanes could respond. Despite a slow start, the Hurricanes rallied back thanks to their flyhalf Harry Godfrey, who soared on the night, scoring 23 of his team's total points, which included slicing through the defense for a spectacular solo try.
The Hurricanes, after trailing by two points at half-time, turned the momentum around with two second-half tries. Kini Naholo dived over the line to give them the lead, with Godfrey's conversion and subsequent penalty giving them a significant advantage at 29-21 midway through the half. But the Blues were resolute. A quick tap from Hoskins Sotutu brought them back to life after he crashed over the line, with Beauden Barrett adding the extras, reducing the deficit.
Continuing their comeback, the Blues executed stunning teamwork as Barrett set up fellow All Black Caleb Clarke, who linked with winger Mark Tele’a, allowing him to dart to the corner and finish with just minutes left on the clock. With the score at 33-29, disaster struck for the Blues when Sotutu received his second yellow card, leading to his expulsion, yet they held on for the win amid tense moments as the Hurricanes pushed for another try.
Statistically, the match was as intense as it was entertaining. The Blues notched four tries—including the penalty try—while the Hurricanes managed three tries, but it was Godfrey’s penalty goals and tactical kicks keeping the hosts close all night. This matches their overall totals for their first three matches, keeping the pressure on for both teams as they look to find their footing as contenders early on this season.
The victory marks a significant moment for the Blues, particularly for coach Vern Cotter, who had been under pressure after the disheartening start to the season. "Every match is pressure, and this win means the world to us and gets us right back up and running," said Cotter. With their confidence reignited, the Blues hope to carry this momentum forward as they take on the Crusaders next week, aiming for back-to-back victories.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes, coached by Jason Holland, faced challenges due to indiscipline and costly turnovers, which proved detrimental to their efforts. Despite their strong start, Holland will need to reassess the discipline and defense strategies if his team hopes to turn around their campaign after two dramatic setbacks.
With the high-stakes excitement of the Super Rugby Pacific underway, fans can look forward to more rivalry-fueled matches, keeping especially close tabs on the Blues and Hurricanes as they regroup and look to assert their dominance moving forward. The rest of the season promises not just fierce competition but also thrilling rugby action as teams vie for playoff positions with matches coming thick and fast.