Blues 55

Waratahs 21

The second half of the Super Rugby Pacific season for the Blues is about showing they belong in the conversation as potential title winners.

Their year has been scratchy; some good performances among results that got away. As they entered their bye round last weekend, they had not won two games in a row this year but instead traded wins for losses – in that order - through seven rounds.

That trend stopped at Eden Park on Saturday night with a 55-21 romp of a young Waratahs side. It could prove to be an important win too, as they added another bonus point to their total.

The Blues have now claimed more bonus points (six) than any other team this season, which could be crucial in what looks like it will be a tight battle for home-field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

There is still plenty of rugby to be played before that point, but the Blues will be buoyed by their performance – despite leaking a couple of tries late. “In some bits we can be happy, but I don’t think we’ll be happy with the 21 points they scored in the game. We’ll be happy with the win, but there’s plenty to work on,” captain Patrick Tuipulotu told Sky Sport.

The Blues signalled their intentions early with ball in hand as they opted to hold on to possession regardless of field position and test the Waratahs on the edges.

Caleb Clarke and Rieko Ioane were both immense in their contributions as they asked plenty of questions of the defence, though never tried to do too much with the ball to force something to happen.

Once they found themselves inside the Waratahs 22, the forwards rolled up their sleeves and went to work and were rewarded for their efforts. Four of the Blues’ seven tries were scored from close range by forwards including a double to hooker Ricky Riccitelli, who has stamped his claim to that starting role with recent performances.

“The game plan was if they kick it deep we’ve got to try and get it back at least to the 40, then get our forwards back to clean up the ruck so we can keep playing,” Tuipulotu said.

“Going forward I think we’re going to be working on that some more.”

Zarn Sullivan also made the most of his extended opportunity, joining the game after 30 minutes as Stephen Perofeta went off with an apparent shoulder injury. Sullivan’s introduction into the game changed the structure of the Blues attack, providing more of an attacking threat opposed to the additional playmaking of Perofeta. He used his speed and elusiveness well when injecting himself into the line to score two tries.

The Blues will be hopeful this is a performance they can build on as it begins a string of games against opposition in the bottom half of the table, with clashes against the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika ahead next.

Blues 55 (Ricky Riccitelli 2, Zarn Sullivan 2, Caleb Clarke, Sam Darry, Cameron Suafoa tries; Stephen Perofeta con, 2 pens; Beauden Barrett 6 cons)

Waratahs 21 (Mahe Vailanu, Teddy Wilson, Dylan Pietsch tries; Ben Donaldson 2 cons; Jack Bowen con)

HT: 20-7