Blues earn first away win in four years

The Blues ended a four year wait for an away victory in South Africa by beating the Southern Kings 18-34 in Port Elizabeth.

Auckland’s Blues had lost their last seven matches in South Africa as their last win in the Republic was in March 2012 when they beat the Bulls 29-23.

Against all teams the Blues had lost their 12 matches away from home and they lost all of their away matches in 2015.

The Blues outscored the Southern Kings by five tries to two so they also earn a bonus point.

The Blues have now played 9 matches and won 5 while the Southern Kings have 1 win over the Sunwolves from nine matches.

Next week the Kings travel to Bloemfontein where they will play the Cheetahs and the Blues fly to Johannesburg to take on the Lions.

More to follow.

Final Score Kings 18 (10) Blues 34 (19)

Scorers

Kings
Tries – J.Hall, E.Marutlulle
Pen – E.Watts, J.Visser
Con – E.Watts
Drop –
Cards –

Blues
Tries – J.Parsons, M.Nanai 2, B.Guyton, T.Li
Pen – I.West
Con – I.West 3
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Federico Anselmi
Assistant Ref 1:Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Ref 2:Archie Sehlako
TMO :Christie du Preez

Teams

Kings

15 Jurgen Visser, 14 Lukhanyo Am, 13 Stefan Watermeyer, 12 Shane Gates, 11 Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 James Hall, 8 Cyril-John Velleman, 7 Thembelani Bholi, 6 Chris Cloete, 5 John-Charles Astle, 4 Steven Sykes (captain), 3 Tom Botha, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Sithembiso Sithole

Replacements: 16 Martin Ferreira, 17 Justin Ackerman, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 Schalk Oelofse, 20 Stefan Willemse, 21 Ntando Kebe, 22 Louis Fouche, 23 Leighton Ekstee

Blues

Sam Prattley, James Parsons (c), Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Josh Bekhuis, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Steven Luatua; Bryn Hall, Ihaia West, Tevita Li, Piers Francis, George Moala, Melani Nanai, Lolagi Visinia.

Replacements : Matt Moulds, Nic Mayhew, Charlie Faumuina, Hoani Matenga, Kara Pryor, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Male Sa’u.