The stats were pretty even but the Blues made best use of their chances to take a 38-11 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
The Blues showed all the qualities of a title-contending team as they muscled up in defence and executed perfectly in attack to claim maximum.
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So what did we learn?
Even if Vern Cotter joked some of his side were still in Noosa after their trip up north, the Blues’ win was built off their work in the respective 22s.
They could’ve kicked easy three-pointers on attack, turning it down and backing their forwards to rumble over. It proved pivotal, taking their chances in the Rebels half to keep themselves in the contest before running away with it in the second half.
It was built off the back of some fantastic scramble defence when they invited pressure onto their line. The Rebels had a similar amount of clean breaks and tackle busts but the difference was how the Blues found a way to repel them and force the mistake.
The win sets up a blockbuster match with the Hurricanes next weekend, with the winner entering the finals as the team to the beat.
The Rebels must start Taniela Tupou and Isaac Kailea heading forward as their combo blossoms.
Tupou came out on a mission to start the game, demanding the ball in the opening minutes. He racked up nine carries in the first half, the majority in the opening quarter. His work-rate was some of the best we’ve seen from the prop in 2024, on display when he raced from one wing to another to try and stop Tele’a, even if he missed the tackle.
He was only outdone at the stat sheet by Kailea, the find of the season for the Rebels. The young loosehead is a strong scrummager but also provides powerful carries.
They form a great combo with Jordan Uelese, who forced a great turnover in the second half whilst the impact of Sam Talakai and Matt Gibbon was superb off the bench.
Mark Tele’a was inspirational for the Blues to help them convert their limited opportunities.
His finishing skills was on full display when he scored against the run of play whilst breaking the line with his carries to flip momentum.
The only thing off was the number on his back, rocking the 21 with Sam Nock coming off the bench in 14.
It’s like a striker wearing 2 or 3 in soccer - just looks off.
Josh Canham is a serious Wallabies bolter and performances like tonight will go a long way towards a call-up.
Canham has been quietly building his game in Melbourne under the guidance of Geoff Parling and his influence is showing.
The lock controlled the set-piece game early with two crucial steals, leading to Ryan Louwrens’ try.
He’s developing his game as a caller, with the 23-year-old coming back a better player from his stint with the Barbarians.
Both sides had to deal with big midfield issues as their versatility was tested.
Rebels centre David Feliuai has been key to the Rebels success early in the season but his night ended early after copping a head knock and battling on, followed by Matt Proctor as his luckless 2024 continues.
Before the break, Blues and All Blacks enforcer Rieko Ioane was left dazed on the ground when he was run over by Josh Kemeny, eventually able to leave the field minutes into half-time.
