The Highlanders muscled their way back to beat the Blues 26‑20 in their Super Rugby match last night.
The Highlanders led 20‑13 at halftime.
One of the few highlights of a scoreless second half for the Blues was the debut of cross code star Sonny Bill Williams, ending eight months out of rugby after rupturing his Achilles tendon at the Rio Olympics.
All Blacks midfield back Williams made one lightning break and offload but otherwise had little impact as the Highlanders dominated the closing stages.
It was the third successive win for the Highlanders.
Both teams scored two tries but the goalkicking of Highlanders first five‑eighth Marty Banks proved decisive, landing six from six.
It continued a sorry record for the Blues in matches away to Kiwi teams.
They have won just one of their last 23 such games.
The scorers:
For Highlanders:
Tries: B Smith, Fekitoa
Cons: Banks 2
Pens: Banks 4
For Blues:
Tries: Faumuina, Cowley-Tuioti
Cons: Francis 2
Pens: Francis 2
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Tevita Li, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Richard Buckman, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Dillon Hunt, 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Alex Ainley, 3 Siosuia Halanukonuka, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown
Replacements: 16 Greg Pleasants-Tate, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Joe Wheeler, 20 Liam Squire, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Fletcher Smith, 23 Matt Faddes
Blues: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Scott Scrafton, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Akira Ioane, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Sonny Bill Williams
In other results, the Hurricanes beat the Waratahs 38-28, the Sunwolves edged the Bulls 21-20, the Brumbies beat the Reds 43-10, the Sharks defeated the Jaguares 18-13 and the Stormers beat the Chiefs 34-26 this morning.
Western Force will face the Kings at 6.05pm.
Source: Radio NZ and Planetrugby
