The Blues have beaten the Brumbies 20-19 in a thrilling semifinal to secure their spot in an all-New Zealand Super Rugby final against the Crusaders.
The home side were put under pressure early on at Eden Park, as the Brumbies’ second-five Irae Simone silenced the home crowd with a barnstorming try in just the third minute of the game.
After a perfect start by the Brumbies the Blues quickly took control of the game, playing open running rugby which ultimately led to their first try of the game through number-eight Hoskins Sotutu.
The home side continued to dominate play in the second-half, with first-five Beauden Barrett orchestrating much of the play.
The Blues’ showcased their flair and improvisation in a mazing move which set up Mark Telea to score his side’s second try, giving themselves momentum going into the second half with a 20-7 lead.
However, the second half played out as a tense affair with both teams unable to put points on the board for much of the half.
The Brumbies eventually hit back with a vital try through substitute hooker Lachlan Lonergan, shortly after the Blues’ had their own hooker Kurt Eklund yellow carded for a dangerous tackle.
With the Australian side on the hunt for a comback, the Blues were forced to put in huge amount of work at the set piece to disrupt the Brumbies’ desperate attacks.
The Brumbies were given a boost when the Blues lost another player to the sin bin with flanker Adrian Choat receiving a yellow card for another dangerous tackle.
Shortly after, the Brumbies scored another try when Lachlan Lonergan once again dotted down off the back of a rolling maul, cutting the Blues’ lead to just one point at 20-19.
The closing minutes were extremely tense, with Ofa Tu’angafasi dramatically charging down a late drop goal attempt by the Brumbies.
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