The Blues made a real statement with a 46-7 win over the ACT Brumbies in the rain in Auckland.
It was a real show of power from the hosts as the Brumbies must now deal with a real wake-up call.
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So what did we learn?
The Blues’ first half defence built the win as they pressed their title credentials.
The Brumbies backed their rolling maul on multiple occasions instead of going for points but found little way through the hosts’ impressive defence.
They missed just three tackles in 80 minutes and kept driving them back with their physicality.
It sets them up perfectly for a tough month where they face every team in the top four.
The Brumbies did themselves no favour right before the half-time break, gifting the Blues the chance to further their lead and run away with the game.
It started when winger Ollie Sapsford played at a clearing kick that could’ve been left to either settle or potentially touch down for a dropout at worse.
This invited pressure on their line and whilst their defence scrambled well, Noah Lolesio’s short drop out straight into touch brought back horror memories from last year’s semi-final.
It’s inexcusable after a half where they spent most of the time chasing the game.
The Blues’ victory was built off a strong display from their back-rowers, which has been a stable of the Brumbies’ strong form in 2024.
Hoskins Sotutu continues to dominate for the Blues, powering his way over the line for the opener.
It puts the number eight on top of the try-scoring ladder and in line for a recall under Scott Robertson
He was joined in kind by Dalton Papali’i and Akira Ioane as they kept bending the defensive line and punishing the Brumbies’ mistakes.
The Brumbies will lament a slow start that ultimately set the tempo for a tough night
They needed to strike when Taufa Funaki was yellow-carded for a cynical foul on their line.
Instead, they found themselves standing underneath their posts two minutes after Dalton Papali’i slipped into space and Sotutu dived over for the opener.
In games like this, you have to take your chances if you want to win at Eden Park
Stephen Larkham will be concerned after a repeat of their Super Round defeat against the Chiefs.
Captain Ryan Lonergan concedes they lost the physical battle and it came back to hurt them.
The Brumbies need to find a way to compete with the top Kiwi sides if they want to take out the title.
Next week’s clash with the Hurricanes gives them the perfect chance to bounce back
