Blues secure historic victory at Apia Park

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 02 June 2017, 12:00AM

The Auckland Blues have done enough to hold off a strong challenge from the Queensland Reds to win the historical first Super Rugby game to be played in Samoa.

A try by debutant and young Samoan, Stephen Perofeta, secured the Blues a 34-29 victory - a win that could have been a lot bigger had it not been for two disallowed tries. 

Akira Ioane scored a last minute try but was disallowed. 

The same thing happened in the opening minute when the blues found open space on the right side of Apia Park only to have the try disallowed.

But that didn’t matter.

The Blues immediately regained possession and Rene Ranger scored the match’s opening try, 7-0. Moments later, Rieko Ioane was at the end of another brilliant break from Ranger setting up their second try.

With the score, 12-0, it looked like it was going to be a long night for the Reds under the stars of Apia. Things looked especially bleak with Reds captain, Samu Kerevi, off with an injury.

But the Tongan Thor, Taniela Tupou, helped the Reds back into the game with the first of his two tries, 12-5.

Both sides scored tries through lineout drives then fly-half Piers Francis potted a long-range penalty to extend the Blues' lead to 20-12 at the break. 

Tui went off clutching his sternum shortly after the restart but the Reds again regrouped and scored through Adam Korczyk, with Quade Cooper's conversion giving them a 22-20 lead. 

Gerard Cowley-Tuioti snatched it back for the Blues before Tupou powered over for his second try.

But Perofeta came off the bench to have the final say for the Blues.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 02 June 2017, 12:00AM
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