Super Rugby Aotearora: Top Five Players Of The Day
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The Blues claimed their fifth win in a row as they brushed aside the Hurricanes 30-20 in their first game of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
Heading into the match all eyes were on New Zealand international Beauden Barrett, who made his first start for his new franchise against his former employers, while it was also nice to see the likes of Ardie Savea return to rugby and the Hurricanes after a long lay off.
The first half saw the two teams separated by just a single point, but the second 40 is where the Blues started showing their dominance and ultimately won the game for themselves.
Here are our five top performers from today's epic encounter.
Hoskins Sotutu — Blues
The Blues captain was absolutely everywhere on the field and was even named man of the match without even scoring a single point.
Sotutu continued where he left off in Super Rugby as he made 16 carries, 9 tackles and carried the ball for 56 metres in 80 minutes of play.
Otere Black, Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu were just some of the stand out performers for the Blues as they stun the Hurricanes in front of a full house
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 14, 2020
Caleb Clarke — Blues
The All Blacks Sevens star put in a massive performance for the Blues today and also found himself scoring the game’s opening try.
In the 65 minutes Clarke played he was able to gain 110 metres, beat six defenders, make 100% of his tackles and produce a clean break.
Rieko Ioane is loving his day in the 13 jumper. #SuperRugbyAotearoa #BLUvHUR pic.twitter.com/WnoBclEp6V
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 14, 2020
Otere Black — Blues
He absolutely pulled all the strings for the Auckland based franchise today and it was nice to see him take the pressure of Beauden Barrett.
Black scored 15 points, kicked all his kicks, made 100% of his tackles and even beat two defenders with ball in hand.
Dane Coles — Hurricanes
The All Black hooker put in a massive shift but was unfortunately on the losing team today. Coles, who struggled to find his jumpers at lineout time, had a decent individual performance and also managed to score a 40-metre try.
ππ½ Dane Coles with gas like a wing....and look which @BluesRugbyTeam player gets caught up in the @HurricanesRugby celebration...#BLUvHUR Investec #SuperRugbyAotearoa
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) June 14, 2020
π₯: @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/YNKNPlcljs
The No. 2 managed to gain 41 metres with ball in hand, produce six carries and win one turnover in the match.
He also gave his former teammate Beauden Barrett a hard time after scoring.
ππ pic.twitter.com/jSYdP9SFKH
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 14, 2020
Mark Telea — Blues
The 23-year-old winger played the full 80 minutes and was absolutely brilliant in the first of the match. He managed to pick up 58 metres with ball in hand, make 90% of his tackles and also beat seven defenders, while claiming to linebreaks.
Mark Telea has been one of the Top Performers of the opening half, here is a look at selected Stats pic.twitter.com/pG4khxjFr2
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 14, 2020
