Once they reach the Reds' twenty-two, Weepu sweeps the ball out to Noakes in mid-field who delivers beautifully weighted kick in behind the defence. Saili provides the chase and looks to be in, but Genia spots it early and bravely dives on it, finds his feet, and clears.

Blues sweep the ball wide off the back of a scrum and are currently grinding their way down the left wing..

Incredible intensity from both side. The Reds' tackle count is twice that of the Blues.

Luatua moves to eight an O'Connor moves to six.

The forwards pick-and-go, grinding their way towards the elusive white-wash. Genia then makes the decision to move the ball wide to Ioane on the wing. He crashes into the contact and the ball is recycled. A phase or two later the ball is stolen illegally on the deck by Ali Williams who is rightfully penalised.

Reds currently on the attack in the Blues' half..

Blues earn a penalty 53 metres out and opt for the posts. Nikora steps up to reproduce his heroic kick of the first half. His kick has the distance but just drifts wide!

Blues commence the second half as they did the first, racking up twenty phases before Fainga'a gets his hands on the ball and forces a penalty for holding.

The Blues clear the ball into touch on the stroke of half time, and Joubert signals the break. Fantastic half of rugby. Blues maintaining the ball for large stretches, but an impressive, patient defensive effort by the Reds has done well to quell the dangerous Blue back-line. The Reds have taken their chances and conjured a number of exciting passages of their own, but haven't yet managed to break into the Blues' in-goal. Two points in it, and the prospect of an exciting second half..

Fair play to Ed Sheeran for taking a break from writing wonderful songs to make a cameo appearance at blindside for the Reds today