Blues blow away Hurricanes Poua

• Published date: 12 April 2024
• Author: RUGBY Paul Williams
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

The Blues ran rampant in the first seven minutes and scorched to a 17-0 lead, hushing the home crowd. It was sublime rugby and their coach probably allowed himself a wry smile

But any curling of Spencer’s lips would have been short-lived as Hurricanes Poua fought their way back into the match to trail 24-15 at halftime.

In the end it was a fairly comfortable 41-29 win to the Blues, and in hindsight it was possibly the challenge Spencer might have wanted heading into the Sky Super Rugby Aupiki final against Chiefs Manawa tomorrow.

There was enough in the performance to suggest the Blues, when they click, would be hard for any team to contain, while also leaving room for improvement given two yellow cards were dished out late in the piece.

Spencer would be wanting his full complement of players on the field for the entire 80 minutes against Chiefs Manawa.

Meanwhile, players stuck around for a long time after the match and signed autographs for fans, including popular local players and sisters Kahurangi and Rangimārie Sturmey who grew up playing down the road at Ōtaki for the Rahui club.

They had grown up watching their father Slade Sturmey play at the same ground. He was a former Horowhenua-Kāpiti captain who played 27 games for his province, many of those at Levin Domain.

Many of the Sturmey whānau were at the ground to cheer on Poua.

Kahurangi, 24, got plenty...