Sotutu scores as Blues demolish Rebels

Dashing Number 8 Hoskins Sotutu scored a try for Blues as they thrashed the Melbourne Rebels by 71-28 in round 12 of the Super Rugby Pacific yesterday. 

 

The Rebels had a quick and impressive start as prop Pone Fa'amausii scored the opening try and two minutes later Josh Canham pulled their second try while Reece Hodge converted both to increase their lead by 14-nil. 

 

The Blues gave a hefty response with a brace of tries through Akira Ioane and an additional try from Finlay Christie while Stephen Perofeta converted both to lock things at 14-all. 

 

Both teams continued to battle hard and the Blues applied more tack-ticks to their game which saw James Tucker, Sotutu, Mark Telea and Rieko Ioane break the lock with four consecutive tries while Perofeta’s conversion gave the Blues a huge 47-14 lead. 

 

The Rebels tried to bounce back in the match but minor errors in their midfield forced the Blues to take advantage and they continued their try scoring as Rieko Ioane completed his hat trick with two more tries in the second stanza while kicker Stephen Perofeta and Caleb Clarke added the additional tries. 

 

In the final few minutes of the match, Rebels tried to make a comeback through Brad Wilkin and Hodge but their tries were not enough. 

 

By Romeka Romena