Benji Marshall made a pleasing Super Rugby debut for the Blues, but couldn't prevent his side from losing 38-35 to the Hurricanes at Memorial Park in Masterton today.
A sell out crowd of 6000 were treated to an entertaining match with a total of 11 tries with the home side stealing the result with a late try to lock James Broadhurst.
However, it was the Blues' code-switching first five-eighth who most had come to watch and he passed his first test, if not with flying colours, then certainly with enough poise to suggest there is better to come.
In his first fully competitive rugby union match since he was 17, Marshall kicked off after being told he'd be doing the restarts just before running onto the field.
He stood a tad deep early on as he kept a close eye on charging Hurricanes openside Ardie Savea, had an early dart, passed players into gaps and seemed to grow in confidence as the match went on.
There was an awkward ruck clean-out and a welcome to rugby crunch when Savea read his trademark sidestep like a book.
But on the whole Marshall was solid, he talked well and seemed to read the direction of play and looked like he was enjoying himself.
A long day looked in store for the visitors after the Hurricanes capitalised on a string of turnovers to score three first-quarter tries to leap out to a 19-0 lead.
Marshall wasn't the best on show. That honour probably went to centre George Moala, who broke the line at will while two-try wing Tevita Li also showed his ability to beat tacklers and finish.
For the Hurricanes Marshall's opposite Marty Banks shone in his first match at this level. The Tasman pivot set up the first try of the match for halfback Chris Smylie with an early dart down the blind then sprinted 80 metres for a try of his own after swooping on a loose pass.
More impressive was the way he directed play during the fourth quarter, after skipping the third, to lead the Hurricanes back from a 35-24 deficit with late tries to midfielder Hadleigh Parkes and James Broadhurst.
Others who could be pleased with their efforts included Blues forwards, flanker Kane Barrett and lock Liaki Moli, while second half replacement Matt McGahan marked himself as a player of real promise with some sparkling touches.
For the Hurricanes Savea was busy late, loose forward Brad Shields into everything and wing Newton Tudreu was full of energy.
Ad FeedbackThe Blues struggled to hold possession early and the Hurricanes fed off their turnovers.
Smylie got on the board after five minutes when Banks broke down the blindside before wing Andre Taylor fed the ball back inside for the opening try.
Banks then raced away for a14-0 lead in as many minutes before Cardiff Vaega brushed Marshall aside and Taylor sprinted clear.
The Blues came to life in the second quarter, Li brushing passed some weak tackling to open the visitor's account.
Loloagi Visinia followed a few minutes later when Li capitlised on a Vaega misread in defence for the initial break and when No 8 Peter Saili put hard working lock Moli into a hole Moala had the Blues' third try and their first lead of the match at 21-19 going into halftime.
Moala broke again for replacement halfback Sonetane Taqulua to score, then Li got his second when he raced onto a long pass to dot down in the corner for a 35-19 lead.
Hurricanes hooker Motu Matu'u was adding some physicality for the Hurricanes, who finished the quarter with a try to openside Callum Gibbins.
Parkes scored after some strong carries from Savea and Matu'u before Broadhurst scrambled over for the winner to the delight of the crowd.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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