Hoskins Sotutu equals Springbok’s Super Rugby record as Blues hammer Brumbies to secure all-New Zealand final

Hoskins Sotutu in action for the Blues against the Brumbies in the Super Rugby Pacific semi-final 2024.
There will once again be an all-New Zealand final in Super Rugby Pacific after the Blues secured a dominant 34-20 victory over the Brumbies.
After 2022 and 2023 saw the Kiwis take up both spots in the showpiece event, 2024 followed the same pattern as the hosts proved far too strong at Eden Park.
The Aucklanders have once again been impressive this season and they got off to a fine start on Friday, going 24-6 in front via AJ Lam, Ricky Riccitelli, Sam Darry and Caleb Clarke tries.
Noah Lolesio’s two penalties was the Australian outfit’s response in the first quarter before Rob Valetini touched down to give them hope at the break.
However, Harry Plummer extended the Blues’ lead to 27-13 and the Brumbies ultimately failed to get back into the encounter in the second period.
Hoskins Sotutu duly sealed their passage into the final by equalling the record held by Malcolm Marx, Codie Taylor and Wallaby Folau Fainga’a for tries scored by a forward during a?Super Rugby season.
Luke Reimer did cross the whitewash for the away team but it proved to be a mere consolation as their otherwise excellent campaign ended in frustration.
Click here for scorers
Vern Cotter’s men were the favourites going into this clash but few quite saw their explosive start coming as they bullied the Brumbies in the physical exchanges.
They were brutal on the gain line, forcing their opponents into reverse with regularity as the Canberra side failed to cope.
It didn’t take much for the dam to break it has to be said, but the Blues were clinical in their execution, with Lam’s try signalling their intent.
The hosts’ plan was simple as they sent their heavy units into the heart of the Brumbies’ defence, but it proved to be incredibly efficient as the centre crossed the whitewash following excellent work by his forwards.
Although the visitors responded a few minutes later thanks to Lolesio’s penalty, the New Zealanders continued to dominate. The Brumbies did not help themselves, with their restarts handing the home team easy possession, but the Blues were impressive in the way they took advantage.
Hooker Riccitelli was the second player to go over, touching down after a driving maul surged towards the line, before Darry was the next to score from close range.
Another Lolesio three-pointer had sandwiched those tries but the Blues were on the front foot in most facets. It was therefore no surprise to see Clarke finish off in the left-hand corner after more pressure had been exerted in the Brumbies 22.
The visitors had barely fired a shot but they received some hope when Valetini crossed the whitewash, albeit Harry Plummer’s penalty on the stroke of half-time meant there was still a 14-point gap at the interval.
Stephen Larkham’s side had plenty of work to do in the second period but they responded well and finally got on the front foot.
They created a number of promising situations, a couple of which should have resulted in tries, but the Blues remained resolute and when those opportunities came to nothing, the game was effectively decided.
With their first real attack of the half, Cotter’s outfit displayed their class by once again forcing their opponents into reverse, leading to Sotutu going over for his record-equalling score.
Reimer responded with a try for the Brumbies but their season ended in disappointment as the Blues reached the final, where they will face either the Hurricanes or Chiefs.
Blues: 15 Stephen Perofeta, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Harry Plummer, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Sam Darry, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Joshua Fusitu’a, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 James Thompson, 20 Adrian Choat, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Corey Evans, 23 Cole Forbes
Brumbies: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andy Muirhead, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Corey Toole, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Rhys van Nek
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Harry Vella, 18 Sosefo Kautai, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Jahrome Brown, 21 Luke Reimer, 22 Harrison Goddard, 23 Ollie Sapsford
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referees: Jono Bredin (New Zealand), Fraser Hannon (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)