Blues down Reds to top Super Rugby Trans Tasman standings

The Blues overcame the Queensland Reds 31-24 in their Super Rugby Trans Tasman encounter in Brisbane on Friday.

The unbeaten side from Auckland scored four tries to three against the Super Rugby AU champions to vault to the top of the ladder. 

They edged ahead of the Crusaders, who were frustrated that a late try to the Force in the 29-21 result cost them a bonus point amid a four-way tussle for the two spots in the final on 19 June.

"We knew it was going to be tough and physical but we were happy with that," Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said.

The Reds, who downed the Chiefs last Saturday to break Australia's Super Rugby Trans Tasman duck, had vowed to tighten their defence and better protect the ball against a brilliant Blues attacking outfit.         

And Brad Thorn's game plan paid dividends as the hosts blunted the Blues during an early arm-wrestle. 

They forced turnovers and made the favoured Blues pay when a slick pass from Hunter Paisami found the hard running Harry Wilson, who scored the game's opening try in the 21st minute. 

But their momentum was halted when Brandon Paenga-Amosa received a yellow card and was sent to the bin for 10 minutes.  

The ill-discipline proved costly with the Blues capitalising with tries to Dalton Papalii and Mark Telea to lead 17-7 at the break. 

The Blues gained a stranglehold after half-time when Tuipulotu crossed over as their aggression wore down a shorthanded Reds, who missed injured star James O'Connor.  

A late try from Filipo Daugunu, however, ended any chance for a Blues bonus point.  

Scorers:

Reds

Tries: Harry Wilson, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Filipo Daugunu

Conversions: Isaac Henry (3)

Penalty: Filipo Daugunu

Blues

Tries: Dalton Papalii, Mark Telea, Patrick Tuipulotu, Finlay Christie

Conversions: Otere Black (4)

Penalty: Black

Teams:

Reds

15 Mac Grealy, 14 Suliasi Vunivalu, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Ryan Smith, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Feao Fotuaika

Substitutes: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Sam Wallis, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Joshua Flook, 23 Ilaisa Droasese.

Blues

15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Tom Robinson, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Karl Tu'inukuafe

Substitutes: 16 Soane Vikena, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jacob Pierce, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 AJ Lam