Watch: The Highlights from thrilling Super Rugby Aotearoa clash between the Blues and Highlanders

The Blues made it three wins from three with a hard fought 27-24 home victory over the Highlanders to kickstart round 3 of Super Rugby Aotearoa. The sides each ran in an early try and alternated a penalty apiece to see the score deadlocked 10-10 midway through the first half. The Blues would run in a further two tries in quick succession to take a handy 22-10 lead into the halftime break. The Highlanders needed to strike first in the second half and did just that, with an early try reducing the deficit to just five points. The Blues were then reduced to 14 players after picking up a yellow card and the Highlanders capitalised on their numerical advantage almost immediately with a try seeing them hit the front for the first time in the match 24-22. The hosts hit back with their fourth score shortly after to regain the lead by just three points to set up an intense final quarter. With under 10 minutes to play the Highlanders had a chance to level things up with a penalty, but the attempt sailed just wide. The visitors would get a final chance to snatch victory, with a late penalty seeing them opt to kick for the corner. The resulting Blues maul defence however was outstanding to keep the Highlanders out which sees them remain unbeaten in the competition atop the table.

 

Caleb Clarke shone for the Blues on the day he lost his grandfather 🙏 #SuperRugbyAotearoa #BLUvHIG https://t.co/MUwMKnUhDx

— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) June 27, 2020