In a Japanese Super Rugby preseason game, the Blues trounced the Yokohama Canon Eagles 57-22. The Blues came back out and loaded up the points with new legs after leading 31–5 at the half.
Kurt Eklund’s late sin binnation gave the Eagles new life, as they went on a little scoring binge in the closing minutes while playing with outstanding speed out wide. Vern Cotter will be happy with some of the Blues’ performances, as there were several standouts.
Up front, Hoskins Sotutu and Anton Segner stole the show, although Zarn Sullivan and Stephen Perofeta were also good. Caleb Clarke was outstanding on the wing.
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The two looseies were everywhere, and their combo will be lethal all season long. The Blues’ last preseason game against the Chiefs is scheduled for next Friday at 3 p.m. in New Zealand.
In other Super Rugby preseason action today, the Highlanders thrashed the Hurricanes 52-17, while the Crusaders defeated the Bristol Bears 31-14.
Super Rugby preseason showdown in Japan
The Blues defeated the Yokohama Canon Eagles 57-22 to cap off an impressive preseason trip to Japan.
To complement their lopsided victory against Suntory Sungoliath in Tokyo last weekend, the visitors shut the gate early with five tries in the first half and finished with a total of nine. They were superior in every aspect of the match at Yokohama’s Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium.
Both teams had a fast start, but Clarke’s goal for the Blues in the 14th minute put them ahead. Clarke was well-positioned to take advantage of some deft handling by his inside backs and outran the cover defence.
Ten minutes later, they increased their lead by two goals when Perofeta was there to grab a loose pass from Yu Tamura in the opposing team and score with the simplest of shots from 20 metres away.
The Blues’ lead was increased to 21-0 as star midfielder Corey Evans maintained his strong performance in Japan by grabbing an inside pass from Perofeta following some excellent team-wide build-up play.
Viliame Takayawa made sure his team didn’t go into the sheds empty-handed with a bullocking sideline run that came right after Clarke’s spectacular second try.
Cole Forbes added the final touches for the Blues as time ran out, but not before the hosts ran two late consolation tries to Laulala and Masayoshi Takezawa.
Next Friday, the Super Rugby preseason Blues will make their way back to Auckland to play the Chiefs at Takapuna Rugby Club on the North Shore, capping off their pre-season itinerary.
Blues 57 (tries by Clarke 3, Perofeta, Evans, Beehre 2, Nock, and Forbes; conversions by Perofeta 3 and Cashmore 2) Yokohama Canon Eagles 22 (conversion by Tamura; attempts by Laulala, Takayawa, and Takezawa)