Blues climb to second spot with another win over Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific

Saturday, 2 May 2026

At North Harbour Stadium, Albany: Moana Pasifika 19 (Millennium Sanerivi 14’, 34, Chris Apoua 72’ tries; William Havili 2 con) Blues 45 (Marcel Renata 24’, Kade Banks 39’, Patrick Tuipulotu 41’, James Mullan 48’, Stephen Perofeta 58’, Beauden Barrett 68’, Terrell Peita 77’ tries; Perofeta 4, Barrett con). HT: 12-14.

The Blues regained second place with a commanding win over Moana Pasifika to keep them well in the race for top spot in Super Rugby Pacific.

Coach Vern Cotter appeared to reinforce a stern message that got through to his team at half-time with an improved second stanza on Saturday night.

The Blues secured a bonus point, too, winning 45-19 at North Harbour Stadium to inflict a 10th consecutive defeat on Moana and better their season record to 8-3.

Tana Umaga’s men are still fighting despite the impending demise of the franchise, but their playoff hopes were officially killed off with three matches to play after another loss at home.

With Moana rock bottom, their city neighbours can look upwards to the Hurricanes, who are top and two points clear.

The Blues sit two points above the Chiefs in third, having played one more match than them and the Canes, and wins in the final rounds when Kiwi derbies come thick and fast could elevate them further.

With an 11-point gap over the Crusaders in fourth, the Blues should be hosting at Eden Park in the first round of playoff matches in June. Still searching for their best form, the other leaders will be watching them with interest.

When the Blues enforced control and their physical prowess, Moana couldn’t keep them out. All but one of their seven tries came via the Cotter playbook that has served them so well. Pick and drive with purpose and supporting carries to wear down opponents.

Stephen Perofeta’s fine breakaway score was the exception. The six-test All Black was direct in an excellent game at No 10 and Xavi Taele impressed with his move to centre.

Fullback Zarn Sullivan was jittery at times but looked dangerous when the Blues were on a roll and had to overcome Moana’s promising start, although the hosts faded badly, a trend throughout their difficult campaign.

If this is the last chapter of their awkward co-existence in Auckland, it was again a small taste of what could have been, albeit much less of a night out than Moana’s thrilling win over the Blues at the same venue last May when Ardie Savea was utterly incredible.

There were several thousand for Moana’s best home attendance of the year (by far) and the colour and vibrancy coursing through the occupied stands was fun and energetic.

The Blues were slow to join the party with a slack first half. However, two tries in eight minutes to start the second — for skipper Patrick Tuipulotu and reserve hooker James Mullan — tipped the scales their way.

The relentless nature of their forward pack’s dominance, led by Tuipulotu and fellow All Blacks lock Sam Darry, was too efficient and clinical for Moana to shut down. Switching to openside flanker, Anton Segner was snaffling for turnovers against Moana’s troubling loose forwards.

Skipper Miracle Faiilagi continues to shine for the hosts, although rising No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa had a quieter game and the bouncing crowd became subdued as the Blues streaked clear in the second half. They did rise for Chris Apoua’s consolation score.

Cotter had made changes, leaving incumbents such as Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett on the bench. He will feel vindicated for giving them a rest with a trio of Kiwi derbies looming.

Perofeta assumed more authority with his return at No 10 after injury issues and got a warm reception when departing in the final quarter.

Moana couldn’t structure the same control and lacked the kicking class of Perofeta and Blues halfback Sam Nock. His counterpart, veteran Augustine Pulu, launched too many aimless box kicks for Moana to chase.

William Havili was still covering at first five-eighth for Moana and troubled the Blues with his sweeping left boot. His obvious target was the leaping Israel Leota on their right wing.

That was a test for returning All Blacks winger Caleb Clarke. Leota was Moana’s biggest threat.

Moana began with two surprise acts to unsettle the Blues. First, a short kick-off, then a more successful midfield lineout ploy similar to Rassie Erasmus’ box of tricks with the Springboks.

Hooker Millennium Sanerivi emerged with a wide smile for his first try. Moana’s early approach paid off. The Blues were sloppy and battling to gain control at the ruck.

Referee Nic Berry gave the visitors two warnings for their ill-discipline in the first half. Under that pressure, they buckled and Sanerivi was beaming again for his second.

The Blues were on the ropes. Their scrum was wilting against the force of former All Blacks prop Atu Moli. Their handling errors prevented any momentum. They were off the pace.

And yet, they were ahead at the break from twice scoring when entering the 22. Their close carries clicked together for prop Marcel Renata and winger Kade Banks (whose finish was excellent).

Barrett and Terrell Peita completed their spree of tries after half-time to guarantee a winning bonus point.

What’s next

The Blues have the first of three huge derbies against the Crusaders in Christchurch next Friday night. The Hurricanes (home) and the Chiefs (away) are still to come, too.

Moana stay in Albany when hosting the Hurricanes next Saturday night.