The hosts were able to run away with things in the second half after leading by eight points at the break and will take plenty out of their second-half performance as they were able to put phases together.
“The scoreboard doesn’t reflect how physical that game was. Moana, they’re strong, powerful athletes and you know it’s always going to be a grudge match,” Blues captain Dalton Papali’i told Sky Sport.
“It was a grudge match, that first half. But the second half, we got clear messages from VC [coach Vern Cotter] and our coaches just to be direct. The points are there, but it doesn’t reflect how hard that game was.”
Fast starts in both halves served the hosts well, though they might have to address their play through 20 minutes with a numbers advantage.
Moana Pasifika lost halfback Augustine Pulu to the sin bin in the 17th minute after a careless shot caught Blues counterpart Sam Nock high. While they scored two tries of their own with the one-man advantage, the Blues also saw Moana Pasifika get across the line three times during that stretch – though two of those were ruled out due to infringements leading up to the try.
Moana Pasifika also ended the game with a man in the sin bin, after fullback William Havili was shown a yellow card for a high shot on Blues flanker Anton Segner.
It was Nock who got the scoring going early in the contest as he shot over from close range four minutes in.
The Blues halfback’s day was cut short as he did not return to the field after a head injury assessment (HIA), but Taufa Funaki deputised well and attacked the space that was offered to him.
It was a Funaki kick that set up the Blues’ second try, stabbing one in behind the line for A.J. Lam to chase.
Moana Pasifika ended the half well and were rewarded with a try through hooker Millennium Sanerivi, before Ofa Tu’ungafasi hit back for the Blues immediately.
Beauden Barrett going unsuccessful on all three of his conversion attempts meant Moana Pasifika were only down by single figures at the break, but the Blues No 10 had some quality touches in the second half before ultimately being able to lock it in from the kicking tee.
A 50-22 early in the second half, in particular, was a masterstroke from Barrett as he pinned Moana Pasifika deep inside their own territory and the Blues crashed over a few phases after the ensuing lineout.
The Blues were rarely troubled in the second 40 minutes as they dictated the match.
Second-half tries to Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Codemeru Vai and Mason Tupaea closed out an emphatic win as the Blues move to second on the ladder.
Blues 43 (Sam Nock, AJ Lam, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Marcel Renata, Sam Darry, Codemeru Vai, Mason Tupaea tries; Beauden Barrett 4 cons)
Moana Pasifika 7 (Millennium Sanerivi try; Patrick Pellegrini con)
HT: 15-7
