Source: Radio New Zealand
Blues face Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific. Liam Swiggs / RNZ
First-five Stephen Perofeta converted all six of his team’s tries and scored one himself, as the Blues overhauled Western Force 42-32 at Perth.
After a controversial loss to the Chiefs in their opener last week, the Auckland-based side took advantage of a big wind at their backs in the second half to overcome a 17-14 deficit, outscoring their rivals 21-3 during the 20 minutes after the break.
Prop Josh Fusitua and Perofeta touched down in the first 40 minutes, but a try to flanker Carlo Tizzano gave the home side a surprise lead at halfway.
After the restart, fullback Zarn Sullivan, flanker Torian Barnes and wing Cole Forbes rattled on three tries that gave their team the momentum and a 15-point lead, that provided a buffer to withstand a late Force rally.
Follow the live progress here:
Squad
Blues: 1 Joshua Fusitu’a, 2 Bradley Slater, 3 Marcel Renata, 4 Laghlan McWhannell, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Anton Segner, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 AJ Lam, 14 Cole Forbes, 15 Zarn Sullivan
Bench: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Che Clark, 20 Torian Barnes, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
