Auckland Blues defeat Rebels 71-28 in Super Rugby Pacific

The Auckland Blues defeat the Rebels 71-28 at Eden Park tonight

On Friday, the Blues rode their scrum to a 71-28 Super Rugby victory over the Melbourne Rebels, scoring 11 tries for their biggest win in four years.

70 on Melbourne that was for you @NZWarriors pic.twitter.com/MAOSq9hz9v

— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) May 6, 2022

In one of the most extraordinary starts to a Super Rugby match, the Blues conceded early tries to Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili (4 minutes) and lock Josh Canham (8 minutes). The Blues then rallied with a double to backrower Akira Ioane in the 12th and 20th minutes respectively to level at 14-14 after 12 minutes.

It took just over 20 minutes for the Blues to score their first try, but by halftime they had scored seven tries, led 47-14 and the Rebels had lost their early spark.

The second half was more orderly than the first, with the frenzied scoring rate slowing down. The Blues, on the other hand, is not a second-half team. Throughout the season, their success has been dependent on creating huge leads and then holding on grimly in the second half.

At halftime, the Rebels were ahead of the Stars 24-14.

It took the Blues 14 minutes to score their first try of the second half, and it was center Rieko Ioane’s second of the match (he had scored his first try in just 2 minutes). Flyhalf Stephen Perofeta touched down five minutes later and his conversion of his own try was his eighth from nine attempts.

In the 63rd minute, Ioane completed his hat trick — the second of his career against the Rebels — to make the score 66-14.

The Rebels took small consolation from late tries to flanker Brad Wilkin and fullback Reece Hodge who added the 15th and final try of the match in the last minute.

All You Need To Know About Auckland Blues’ 2022 Jerseys

The Blues have revealed a new jersey they say is a mix of their heritage and today.

The 2022 home jersey honours the epic migrations that have shaped New Zealand’s history and are made possible by the waterways that surround the country.

From the first Waka to the most recent migrant, everyone is welcome, everyone is whnau, and everyone is proudly represented on the shirt.

Our maritime environment influenced the colour palette, which reflects our distinctive culture. The colour palette includes Teal Blue, Navy Blue, White and Black.

The design contains a stylized koru pattern that represents fresh life and growth, with five petals representing each of our islands and five lines symbolizing their watery connection.

The Blues 2022 away jersey is born from their championship history and redefined with a new aesthetic detailing and inspired by the iconic Blues jerseys worn by the legendary teams and players from the turn of the new Millennium.

The diamonds across the shoulders are reference to the club’s celebrated championship teams that have come before. The 2022 away jersey recodes the Blues’ history in a bold way that pays homage to their past whilst taking inspiration from the present.

See more: Auckland Blues Rugby Union Jerseys And Hoodies