Blues Tap Talented Finisher Mark Tele’a to Overcome Hurricanes in Super Rugby Pacific Showdown

This piece was originally published on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

When referee Angus Gardner signalled the end of the match in Wellington, Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu could be seen easing up, resembling someone relieved after dodging a hefty tax bill.

As the skipper of the reigning champions — a team many predicted would clinch the Super Rugby Pacific title again — Tuipulotu would have been hard-pressed not to feel the pressure building in his stomach ahead of Saturday night’s showdown at Sky Stadium.

Tune in to all the action from the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season on Stan Sport, the exclusive platform to watch every match ad-free, live, and on-demand

They emerged victorious with a narrow 33-29 win, although it took them a considerable amount of time to unlock the padlock that nearly confined them to the lower reaches of the competition standings.

This match was filled with drama, yet it wouldn’t be fair to label it a classic, especially when considering the errors made by both teams.

The game was marked by a total of five cards, with the Blues receiving three of them. The standout was a red card issued to No.8 Hoskins Sotutu for shoulder-to-head contact, a point that is likely to be hotly debated in the coming days.

Discipline can cost matches.

Turning the tide in their favour were the final 12 minutes, marked by a double blow inflicted by Sotutu and right-wing Mark Tele’a.

Sotutu’s try was straightforward enough, coming from a forceful run off a short pass near the opposition line.

NEW PODCAST! Wallabies legend Michael Hooper joins us from Japan to discuss his international future

Tele’a’s score, on the other hand, was nothing short of spectacular.

The action began 70 metres down the field, as Beauden Barrett, having switched from fullback to No.10 late in the match, launched a counterattack. Eventually, the ball found its way to Tele’a, who sprinted 40 metres and evaded a defender to score a brilliant try.

Having earlier lost openside flanker Dalton Papali’i due to a failed HIA, the Blues were back in the lead.

The Hurricanes also had to bid farewell to their hooker Raymond Tuputupu, who was injured early in the game, and fullback Kade Banks didn’t return after halftime, failing to pass a HIA.

Despite the turmoil, Hurricanes playmaker Harry Godfrey remained composed and collected under pressure.

This young first five-eighth, who moved to fullback later in the match, accumulated a remarkable 24 points, scoring a try and converting five penalties along with two conversions.

At halftime, coaches Vern Cotter and Clark Laidlaw seemingly shared a knowing glance, perhaps reaching into their pockets to swap honest insights before heading into their respective locker rooms to rally their squads. There’s a good chance they resorted to colourful language to make their points clear.

Discipline had certainly been a concern for both teams, with the Hurricanes bearing the brunt of it, leading the yellow card count 2-1.

The first to receive a yellow card was Hurricanes loosehead prop Xavier Numia, punished for not wrapping his arms in a tackle, followed by replacement prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, who was penalised for folding as the Blues scrum picked up pace near the try line.

A penalty try was awarded, and with the Hurricanes down to 13 players, they conceded yet another try, this time to Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli.

Those who believed the momentum had shifted in favour of the visitors would have been disheartened shortly thereafter.

Godfrey pounced on a loose ball that was inadvertently kicked by the Blues, scooped it up with the speed of a child finding money on the pavement, and then weaved his way to the try line.

Suddenly, the match was electrifying. Despite being riddled with unusual moments, errors, and a lack of discipline, it proved to be engrossing.

Next to receive a yellow card was Blues centre Rieko Ioane.

As the clock ticked down to less than a minute, Barrett found himself at halfback, setting up for a defensive scrum.

Then came the referee’s whistle, and with collective tension in the air, everyone turned to Gardner. He ruled in favour of the Blues, awarding them a penalty.

The Blues got the result. It wasn’t a masterpiece, and discipline was clearly an issue. But in the end, they secured the win.

At Sky Stadium, Wellington: Blues 33 (Penalty try 18min, Ricky Riccitelli 26min, Cameron Suafoa 31min, Hoskins Sotutu 68min, Mark Tele’a 70min tries; Beauden Barrett 3 con) Hurricanes 29 (Harry Godfrey 30min, Kini Naholo 60min tries; Godfrey 2 con, 4 pen). HT: 21-19

Yellow cards: Xavier Numia (Hurricanes), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Hurricanes), Rieko Ioane (Blues). Red card: Hoskins Sotutu (Blues)