Brilliant first-half blitz from Blues proves too much for Drua

The Blues have kicked off their Super Rugby Pacific campaign in 2024 with a dominant 34-10 victory in Whangārei against the Fijian Drua.

Vern Cotter’s side looked powerful and well-drilled as a rampant first half display put the game out of reach, with the Blues leading 29-3 at the break. Despite being a home game for the Blues, the crowd favoured the Drua but didn’t have much to cheer for as the Fijian side struggled to find any momentum in humid conditions in Northland.

The Whangārei crowd fell silent before the match to hold a moment of silence for Green MP Efeso Collins, who passed away during a charity run during the week.

Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i and Josh Beehre made some strong carries for the Blues to put them in good field positions throughout the first half.

The Blues scored 6 tries off 8 visits to the Drua’s 22, showing their efficiency in execution over the Fijian side which featured 4 debutants.

The Drua started strong by putting pressure on the Blues defence as they forced their way to the line using up 23 phases while getting close to the line but the Blues defence managed to hold off the attack.

After this brief test for the Blues, they swung into attack mode with their forward pack producing an industrious driving maul which allowed Hoskins Sotutu to peel off the back and touch down on the left flank to score the first try of 2024 for the Blues. Sotutu was a standout performer for the Blues making 11 carries and scoring 2 tries in the first half.

The blue wave continued to add scoreboard pressure off the back of a 5m scrum and some nice hands from Rieko Ioane found Zarn Sullivan who had a bit of work to do before finishing well in the corner.

Against the flow of the game, the Drua managed to force a scrum penalty and opted to go for goal with the penalty coolly converted by debutant Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula. Unfortunately for the 20-year-old, he had to sit out the end of the first half after receiving a yellow card off the back of multiple penalties which put more pressure on the Drua’s tiring defence.

The Blues scored their 5th try on the stroke of half time and it’s one that the Drua won’t want to watch back as a charge down from Ta’avao allowed the ball to sit up for Sotutu to score one of the easier tries of his career.

The Drua came out firing in the second half, with the wind and crowd behind them as they capitalised on their good field position, something they were unable to do in the first half. Despite being a man down, the Drua surged over the line through Ratu Rotuisolia after clinical pick-and-go carries. The Blues gave away too many penalties close to their line in the lead up to the try and half-back Finlay Christie had to go to the bin to make it 14 on 14.

The Fijians showed how exciting they can be on the break and the crowd found their voice when a slick link up from the Drua backline led to Isoa Nasilasila being brought down inside the Blues 22 after being stopped by some excellent cover defence.

The Blues struggled to get going early in the second half but quick hands from Mark Telea gifted Sullivan his second try of the match in the 63rd minute.

There wasn’t too much action in the latter stages as the heat played a part in both sides' ability to continue to push for points.

Blues fans should be happy with that performance but it will be Vern Cotter who will be relieved to have started his coaching career at the club with a win.

24.02.24

By 1NEWS Reporters