Blues down Drua, Reds roast Waratahs as Super Rugby returns
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New Zealand loose forward Hoskins Sotutu speaks during a news conference in the lead-up to the Rugby Championship test against Australia in Melbourne, Australia September 13, 2022. REUTERS/Ian Ranson/ File Photo
The Auckland Blues justified their status as one of the favourites for the Super Rugby Pacific title with a 34-10 win over the Fijian Drua in their season-opener at Whangarei Stadium on Saturday.
New coach Vern Cotter saw his team cross five times in the first half on their way to a comfortable victory over the hard-running Drua, who made the playoffs in their second season last year.
Number eight Hoskins Sotutu and fullback Zarn Sullivan both scored two tries each but flyhalf Stephen Perofeta converted only two of his side's six tries as he struggled in the breezy conditions.
"We had some moments where we performed but there were some moments where we were a bit scratchy," said Blues captain Dalton Papali'i.
"At the end of the day we know the Drua's going to bring it all. They play such a good style of footie that you've got to be on all game."
The other pre-season title favourites were the reigning champion Canterbury Crusaders and the Waikato Chiefs. The Chiefs beat the Crusaders 33-29 in a thrilling opening match of the new season on Friday night.
In the final match of the round later on Saturday, Queensland Reds ran in six tries to beat the New South Wales Waratahs 40-22 at a rainy Brisbane's Lang Park in the latest edition of an interstate rivalry that goes back to 1882.
The Queensland pack did most of the damage from close range with hooker Matt Faessler scoring two tries from rolling mauls and scrumhalf Tate McDermott one from a five-metre scrum off a through-the-legs pass from number eight Harry Wilson.
Centre Hunter Paisami and openside Fraser McReight also crossed for the Reds and the referee awarded them a penalty try on the cusp of halftime for an early tackle on Jordan Petaia by Max Jorgensen, who was also shown a yellow card.
The Waratahs too often gave the ball back to the Reds through errors but showed their backline quality with two tries from winger Dylan Pietsch and another from skipper Jake Gordon after a Mark Nawaqanitawase interception.
"Really happy with that," said Reds co-captain McDermott.
"We've come off a couple of poor years ... we're not quite where we need to be yet, but that's a bloody good start."
In Saturday's second match, Moana Pasifika went into halftime in Dunedin with a 18-14 lead but the Otago Highlanders scored three tries in the second half, the last a brilliant team effort finished by centre Sam Gilbert, to run out 35-21 winners. REUTERS
