Blues v Reds: Five takeaways as Beauden Barrett the hero despite ‘losing his bearings’ as Wallabies star left ‘heartbroken’ after costly error
Blues fly-half Beauden Barrett and Reds flanker Fraser McReight.
Following a 36-33 victory for the Blues over the Reds, here are our five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific encounter at One NZ Stadium on Saturday.
The top line
The Blues were thankful to an error by Fraser McReight and the boot of Beauden Barrett as they claimed a golden point triumph over the Reds in Christchurch. With the teams locked at 33-33 after full-time, McReight conceded a penalty minutes into the extra period to allow Barrett to kick the New Zealanders to a dramatic success.
Prior to that mistake, the Wallabies flanker had been superb, scoring the first of their five tries as they battled back from 21-7 – and then 33-21 – down to give themselves a shot of victory. Zarn Sullivan’s brace, allied by scores from Cole Forbes, Dalton Papali’i and Bradley Slater, appeared to put the Aucklanders on course to claim a relatively comfortable win.
However, the Australian side were impressive, maintaining their physicality and intensity throughout to launch a superb fightback. Harry Wilson and Jock Campbell had levelled matters at the break before late tries from Tim Ryan and Louis Werchon gave them hope going into the extra-time. However, Barrett bisected the uprights to leave the Reds – especially McReight – heartbroken.
Flanker duel
It is always a key battleground but, between two sides who have such quality, it was particularly important. The contest certainly did not disappoint with all four starters going toe-to-toe in an enthralling duel, but there was no doubt that the international quality showed initially. Anton Segner and Joe Brial, the blindsides for the Blues and Reds respectively, both have their supporters and may well make their Test bows this year given their fine form but, at flanker, they rather played second fiddle to Papali’i v McReight for the first part of the encounter.
Both opensides got on the scoresheet, with the former’s finish especially impressive as he carried a couple of defenders over the line with him, but it was their work at the breakdown and in contact that helped their teams immensely. Papali’i arguably got the better of the duel, however, and new All Blacks boss Dave Rennie may well rue his predecessor’s decision to sideline the Blues flanker last year, which ultimately led to the 28-year-old seeking a deal abroad. It could well prove to be a big mistake from Robertson with Rennie also potentially paying the consequences for that call.
For 45 minutes, it was very much the Papali’i show but, after that, Segner came to the fore and showed why he is being touted for international honours. He had produced a couple of excellent cover tackles and some decent carries in the opening period, but in the second half the German-born blindside displayed his technical excellence. The 24-year-old won two lineouts on Reds ball and also claimed a breakdown turnover, which relieved the pressure briefly against a side that did not relent.
Food for thought at fly-half
With Ruben Love’s continued excellence in an outstanding Hurricanes side, it will very much be a three-way fight for the number 10 shirt. The performances in the play-offs may ultimately decide which direction Rennie goes in when it comes to Test selection, but Barrett is just about doing enough to keep himself in contention.
Like last weekend, there were some absolutely sublime moments and for the first half-hour, the legendary playmaker looked like the best fly-half in New Zealand. The Blues led 21-7 with Barrett the architect but, either side of the interval, there were some slack decisions that could have been costly as the Reds fought back.
One heart in mouth moment saw the pivot leave the ball after it had been kicked through by the Australians, hoping that it would roll over the tryline, but the Reds got their first. However, they knocked it on and saved the All Blacks centurion from embarrassment. His display followed a similar pattern to the Blues’ success over the Highlanders where he rather lost his bearings for a while but, unlike in that clash, he regained his composure in Christchurch.
When Barrett was struggling, the Reds’ Harry McLaughlin-Phillips came to the fore. He could have found himself out of the reckoning this season, given Carter Gordon’s return from rugby league and the presence of Tom Lynagh, but he has been integral in 2026.
Lynagh’s injury has opened the door for McLaughlin-Phillips and with Gordon now on the sidelines as well, the onus was on the 22-year-old to step up, which is exactly what he did in Christchurch. For just over an hour, the pivot put in a fine performance, giving Les Kiss something to think about if all three are fit.
Blues at ‘home’ in Christchurch
There was a certain oddity seeing the Blues play at ‘home’ in Christchurch, the new venue of their age-old arch rivals. As part of Super Round, the Auckland outfit were forced to vacate Eden Park and head to the South Island for Saturday’s clash.
They may well be another New Zealand team but, given that the Blues and Crusaders utterly despise each other, there was a certain ambivalence – if not outright disappointment – whenever the Aucklanders touched down, apart from the few Blues fans that were in attendance.
The majority of the sell-out crowd were cheering for the Reds, creating a fine atmosphere, particularly towards the end, in what has already been a fantastic weekend for Super Rugby. There is no doubt that taking it to Christchurch at the newly-opened ground has been a roaring success and this was a game to match the occasion.
Reds resilience and final mistake
At 21-7 in arrears, and then 33-21 down with just seven minutes remaining, the Queensland-based outfit could have easily folded but, as already mentioned, they were utterly relentless. They simply refused to yield throughout, continually battling back and giving themselves a chance with Werchon’s score taking them level for the first time since the 14th minute.
The replacement half-back was key in easing his team back into the contest late on, while Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Vaiuta Latu, Hunter Paisami, Ryan, Campbell and of course McReight all played their part in that blitz in the final few minutes, but the openside flanker will rue his decision to put himself in an awkward position at the breakdown.
Number sevens always push the boundaries but, on this occasion, discretion was the better part of valour, as he found himself in an offside position when knocking the ball out of the Blues’ grasp, leading to a penalty in front of the posts. McReight unsurprisingly contested the call but, in truth, he could have little argument as the Wallaby star simply got it badly wrong, leading to an agonising defeat.