Rieko Ioane scored a hat-trick as the Blues beat the Rebels 56-18 in Melbourne on Thursday.
It was an impressive victory for the Auckland-based franchise, considering they were without several key players, including Jerome Kaino and new signing Sonny Bill Willams.
The Blues led 25-15 at the break after scoring three tries, the last of which came late in the half through an Ioane interception.
The hosts had started the match positively, with Nic Stirzaker scoring the first try of the Super Rugby season, and while the Blues opened their account through Pauliasi Manu, Jackson Garden-Bachop's try then gave the Rebels a 12-8 lead. But Matt Duffie's five-pointer put the Blues back in front, before Ioane scored his first.
A superb solo effort from Augustine Pulu soon after the break put the result beyond doubt, with Ioane's second proving to be the bonus-point try for the Blues.
The visitors weren't done, though, as Nanai Vai crossed the line and Akira Ioane put his brother away for his hat-trick.
Rebels – Tries: Nic Stirzaker, Jackson Garden-Bachop. Conversion: Garden-Bachop. Penalties: Reece Hodge (2).
Blues – Tries: Pauliasi Manu, Matt Duffie, Rieko Ioane (3), Augustine Pulu, Nanai Vai. Conversions: Ihaia West (6). Penalties: West (3).
SUPERBRU: Our team's Super Rugby picks
Rebels – 15 Jack Dereczeni, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Jonah Placid, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga'a, 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Pat Leafa, 1 Cruze Ah Nau.
Subs: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Tom Moloney, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Jake Shatz, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Sione Tuipulotu, 23 Ben Volavola.
Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Matt Moulds, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Scott Scrafton, 20 Mrphy Taramai, 21 Sam Nock, 22 George Moala, 23 Rene Ranger.
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Photo: Robert Prezioso/Getty Images
