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Perofeta snatches victory for Blues in Samoa
By Alex Fisher
Stephen Perofeta's late try got the Blues back to winning ways on Friday as they beat Reds 34-29 in a thrilling Super Rugby contest in Samoa.
Perofeta profited from a lung-busting break from Akira Ioane and Melani Nanai to touch down with six minutes remaining, the replacement diving over from short distance after Nanai had been held up by James Tuttle.
It was a fifth try for the Blues as they denied a spirited Reds comeback in the second half that saw them leading just after the hour, having been eight points adrift at the break.
Rene Ranger, Rieko Ioane and Kara Pryor all touched down in the opening half hour for the Blues as they flew out of the blocks to hold a commanding position at the break - Piers Francis also adding five points with the boot.
The Reds - who lost captain Samu Kerevi to a left-ankle injury in the first half - were boosted by Andrew Ready's try late in the half and they used that momentum to surge back into the match after the restart through Quade Cooper and Adam Korczuk.
That gave the Reds a two-point lead but just after the hour the Blues were back infront as Gerard Cowley-Tuioti capped a wonderful team try to touch down.
Quickly the momentum shifted again as Tupou scored his second try of the match to leave the Reds in sight of victory, but there was one final twist as Perofeta grabbed the win for the Blues.
And their winning margin would have been greater as Akira Ioane touched down, but the TMO ruled it out for offside.
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Latest Comments
Thanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
Go to commentsif the clock could be turned back, Jones should still have been given the top job, to be assisted by Farrell, Borthwick, Catt, & Rowntree, and after 2019 he should have been replaced by Farrell.
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