Blues fly-half Beauden Barrett showed his class with an outstanding try assist in his team’s 55-21 victory over the Waratahs in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Auckland on Saturday.
With the hosts on the attack deep inside the Waratahs’ 22, Barrett came to the fore with his moment of magic in the build-up to a try scored by replacement full-back Zarn Sullivan just before half-time.
Blues scrum-half Finlay Christie threw a pass to Barrett, who was cornered by two on-rushing defenders, but the All Blacks playmaker had the presence of mind not to catch the ball and instead tipped it on delicately to Sullivan, who went over for a well-taken try.
🪄 A moment of magic from Beauden Barrett in the build-up to Zarn Sullivan's try for the Blues against the Waratahs! #SuperRugbyPacific #BLUvWAR pic.twitter.com/YlddAok3l6
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) April 22, 2023
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Earlier, the Blues made the brighter start, and after Stephen Perofeta opened the scoring via a penalty in the fifth minute, Ricky Riccitelli crossed for the first try when he barged over from close quarters shortly afterwards.
The home side continued to dominate and were holding a 13-0 lead after Perofeta succeeded with another penalty, but the Waratahs reduced the deficit midway through the half when Mahe Vailanu dotted down off the back of a lineout drive deep inside Blues territory.
Ben Donaldson added the extras to narrow the gap before the hosts replied with Sullivan’s converted try, which gave them a 20-7 lead at half-time.
The second half started in a similar way to how the first half ended, with Sullivan crossing the whitewash again, and Barrett’s conversion meant the Blues were holding a 20-point lead.
The home side were far from finished, and further tries from Riccitelli and Caleb Clarke, which were both converted by Barrett, meant the Blues were holding a commanding 41-7 lead by the 57th minute.
The Waratahs responded with a five-pointer from Dylan Pietsch, but the Blues struck back when Sam Darry crossed for their sixth try in the 64th minute.
Another try from the visitors, scored by Teddy Wilson, added some respectability to the score, but the Blues had the last laugh when Cameron Suafoa scored their final try in the game’s dying moments.
Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific