The Blues beat the Highlanders 23-15 to claim the 2021 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title in front of their supporters at Eden Park, Auckland last night.
The well-deserved victory earns the Blues a fourth Super Rugby title (1996 and 1997) and their first since 2003 as the former three-time champions delivered the goods in the City of Sails.
The Blues‘ fans had waited 18 years to see their team play a home Super Rugby final and Leon MacDonald’s men did not disappoint.
This victory will be sweet, especially after the disappointment of missing out on the Super Rugby Aotearoa final by a point.
The Blues were perfect in the Trans-Tasman tournament winning all six matches as they finish undefeated.
Blake Gibson's try three minutes from full-time clinched the win after the Highlanders, who trailed 13-6 at half-time, rallied with three penalties in seven minutes to lead 15-13 after 66 minutes.
A penalty goal to replacement fly half Harry Plummer gave the Blues the lead again in the 70th minute and Gibson's try — after a break from number eight Hoskins Sotutu — sealed the win when Plummer's conversion created an eight-point margin.
Time ran out for a Highlanders' comeback and the Blues celebrated in front of a home crowd of 36,000.
The Blues did not concede a try against the Highlanders in the final.
They had advanced to the final after beating all five Australian sides.
