Live coverage has concluded, please click here for the full wrap
Blues 31 Moana Pasifika 30
8:53pm
Wow. What a finish.
You've got to feel for Moana Pasifika. They were seconds away from their first win of the season, but instead leave empty handed.
The Blues meanwhile are up to second place on the ladder, leapfrogging the Crusaders.
That'll be it fromus for tonight - thank you for joining us, and see you again next week!
FULLTIME - PENALTY TRY BLUES
Aumua moves into the scrum to replace Curry. Another scrum. Christie feeds, and the Blues drive.
Moana Pasifika infringe again - and it's a penalty try! The Blues have gotten out of jail here!
BLU 31 MOA 30
81 mins - YELLOW CARD MOANA PASIFKA
Another scrum coming up. Christie feeds, the siren goes. Suafoa runs off the back, he's tackled.
Segner picks and goes, tackled. Lay goes, tackled, and wins advantage.
Play is stopped, and Curry is shown yellow now! They'll finish with 13!
80 mins
Lealiifano is warned as the Blues prepare for a scrum. Reshuffle for the Blues, Akira Ioane is playing centre with Heem off.
Christie feeds, but the reset is called. Christie feeds again, and they've got another advantage.
Christie goes to Rieko Ioane, but he's tackled so we go back for another penalty.
Into the final minute!
78 mins
Lineout, Eklund throws, Segner wins it and they drive.
The ball comes loose and the Blues have to use it.
Akira Ioane picks and goes, and wins advantage. He's close. Lay picks and goes close to the line, and he's short. Same with Eklund, and Darry.
We go back for the penalty. Can Moana hold on?!
77 mins - YELLOW CARD MOANA PASIFIKA
Another Blues lineout, on the 5m line. Eklund throws, Akira Ioane takes it and they look to drive.
Eklund has it at the back, and wins advantage.
They go to the backs, but the ball goes to ground so play is stopped.
This could be a yellow card as well - it is. Funaki is sent to the bin, and Moana Pasifika will have to finish without their captain!
76 mins
Can Moana Pasifika hold on here? One try could seal it for either side.
Tolai throws and Moana win their lineout. The ball goes back to Havili, who just belts it down to Sullivan.
Sullivan goes on a run and gets over halfway. Heem does well, but he's tackled. Robinson goes, and wins advantage.
Play is stopped, so we go back for the penalty.
Sullivan kicks for the corner.
74 mins
Huge lineout, on the 22, Eklund throws and finds Robinson.
The Blues have it inside the 22, as Christie sends it to the left. Suafoa goes right, as Akira Ioane picks and goes.
Moana Pasifika have turned it over though! Looks like Motuga the hero!
Moana Pasifika take the penalty.
73 mins
Moana Pasifika scrum, Taumatiene feeds, and the Blues win a penalty!
They go wide, where Sullivan is called for not releasing, so we go back for the penalty.
Surely the Blues take the lineout? They do, and Sullivan finds touch.
71 mins
Moana Pasifika claim the kick-off, and win advantage for a high tackle in their own half.
Tavatavanawai goes down the left, but Christie spills it to give Moana Pasifika a scrum.
70 mins - TRY MOANA PASIFIKA
Eklund throws, but the ball is knocked on onto the Moana half.
Lealiifano kicks, and his ball just about trickles dead before it stops.
Lam kicks back, and it's not out.Tavatavanawai and Aumua carry into the Blues half.
Funaki takes Akira Ioane on, and gets to the Blues' 10.
The Blues have pinched it though, looks like Clarke. Rieko Ioane tries to dance through, but is taken by Curry.
Papali'i knocks on though, and Moana have it back!
Moana go wide as Inisi, and Havili combine. Havili finds Aumua, who finds Inisi again - and he runs for the corner and scores!
Huge kick to come here, Leuila from the right touchline for an eight point lead.
And he can't bring it back! There's a converted try in it for the Blues!
BLU 24 MOA 30
66 mins
Taumateine, on as a sub, feeds the scrum. The ball goes to Leuila, who clears downfield for a Blues lineout inside the Moana half.
65 mins
Both sides trade kicks from the restart, before Sullivan's bomb is spilled and ends up back in Blues hands.
The Blues have advantage, before we stop for a penalty, and Christie goes quickly!
Havili tackles, but then Lay loses the ball in the tackle.
Moana Pasifika scrum.
63 mins - PENALTY MOANA PASIFIKA
Moana Pasifika scrum, but the front row goes down, so that's a penalty against Tuungafasi.
The shot is called. Lealiifano has gone off, so Leuila will take it, 10m inside the half.
I tell you what though - he nails it! Moana Pasifika lead again!
BLU 24 MOA 25
60 mins
Renata is back from his yellow card.
The Blues keep the ball under control after the kickoff, before Plummer goes to the air.
Lam and Tavatavanawai go up for it, but the Blues man knocks it on.
59 mins - TRY BLUES
The Blues restart with a tap and go, as Tuungafasi goes for the line, as does Lay.
Someone picks and goes and scores - but who is it? The try is awarded, and Darry claims it!
Sullivan wil look to convert, and does. The Blues take the lead again!
BLU 24 MOA 22
58 mins
Moana Pasifika lineout. Moli throws, it's a mess and the Blues end up with it.
Rieko Ioane hits the line hard, before Plummer kicks over the top to Clarke - and it's pinpoint!
Clarke carries to the 22, and the Blues are on here! Sullivan carries over the 22, as Rieko Ioane tries to step through, but gets to the 5m line.
Eklund goes, tackled. Akira Ioane goes - and he's close! Darry goes, tackled, and held up in goal.
Brilliant from Plummer to spot Clarke there!
56 mins
Blues lineout on their own 5m line. Eklund throws long for Akira Ioane, who hits the line hard.
The ball goes back to Sullivan, who clears into touch.
55 mins
Lealiifano wants the points, he lines up the kick from about 40m out.
He hits it with power, but can't get it on target. Sullivan kicks it back, but Moana Pasifika can build again.
The Blues slow it right down, before Moana go to Leuila. They're just outside the 22.
Havili tries to slip through, before the ball goes back to Leuila for a drop goal?!
He misses, and Lam puts a bomb up - that Tavatavanawai drops, backwards.
He carries over halfway, and Moana Pasifika go again. They go through the hands, as Aumua takes some tackling. Curry carries into the 22, as Lealiifano goes to the air - but it beats Faiilagi and Plummer into touch.
Long passage comes to an end, and someone is down hurt for Moana.
51 mins
Leuila clears, but can't find touch. Christie responds and kicks into touch. Moana Pasifika lineout.
Moli throws over the top, and Faiilagi wins it. Another advantage for Moana Pasifika as Papali'i is pinged.
The Blues are getting frustrated here, they've given away the last six penalties.
50 mins
Rieko Ioane comes on for Tuivasa-Sheck. The Blues kick off, but Moana Pasifika kick it straight back.
Tucker loses the ball in the tackle though, so that'll be a Moana Pasifika scrum.
49 mins - TRY MOANA PASIFIKA
The Blues have to make changes with a prop off the field, Lay comes on for Suafoa.
Moana Pasifika scrum, Aumua waits as first receiver.
Enari feeds, and they creep forward - and win advantage.
They go to the backs - and Lealiifano pops up to score under the posts!
The Blues appeal for a knock-on, but it's waived away.
Lealiifano to convert his own try, and does.
BLU 17 MOA 22
47 mins - YELLOW CARD BLUES
Moana Pasifika have about three penalties to choose from, and want the lineout in the corner.
Moli throws, Curry wins it and they drive - and have advantage!
Play stops, and Renata is shown yellow.
46 mins
Moli throws, and McKee takes it as Moana Pasifika carry into the Blues' 22.
Havili hits the line hard, as Enari goes back towards the right. Fomai plays halfback with Enari tackld, as Aumua carries towards the 5m line.
Funaki goes, and offloads to Lealiifano as they win advantage.
They go wide to Tavatavanawai, who's tackled on the left wing. Funaki picks and goes inside the 5m line.
We go back for the penalty though. Aumua taps and goes quickly, but Christie makes the tackle on the line.
They go all the way out to the right to Faiilagi - and he dives for the corner to score! The TMO will have a look, onfield call is try.
Nope - his foot's in touch, so we go back for the penalty. Papali'i is warned, the next penalty will be a yellow for the Blues.
44 mins
Blues scrum. Christie feeds and Suafoa runs off the back.
Christie goes back to Sullivan, and he clears.
43 mins
Moana Pasifika lineout. Moli goes short and Lealiifano ends up with the ball.
Lealiifano kicks over the top for Fomai - and he's through! Clarke tackles, but Fomai offloads to Aumua - who can't hang onto it against Heem's challenge.
That'll be a Blues scrum.
42 mins
Darry knocks on from the kick-off, so that's a scrum for Moana Pasfika inside their own 22.
Enari feeds, and Moana Pasifika win advantage, and then a penalty as play stops.
41 mins
We're all ready to go in the second half. Christie has replaced Funaki. Sullivan has replaced Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
Plummer kicks off.
HALFTIME - TRY MOANA PASIFIKA
Moli throws as the siren goes for halftime. Curry wins it as Moana Pasifika drive.
Pole has the ball at the back of the drive - and he goes for the corner and scores! Wow! Moana Pasifika have the chance to lock things up with the last kick of the half!
Huge moment for Lealiifano from the left touchline - but he can't curl the ball back through the posts.
That's the half as the Blues hang on to the lead!
BLU 17 MOA 15
40 mins
Enari feeds, and Moana Pasifika use it and go to the left through Fomai.
Papali'i looks to turn it over, but can't manage it. Lealiifano offloads straight to Funaki, but the Blues are penalised, Darry joined the ruck incorrectly.
Moana Pasifika want the lineout to end the half.
39 mins
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens kicks and finds Lealiifano, before Moana Pasifika go to the air - but Plummer does brilliantly to take it in the air.
He then knocks on in the tackle though. Moana Pasifika scrum in the Blues' half.
38 mins
Plummer kicks off, and the ball is tapped onto Moana Pasifika's side.
Leuila kicks deep, but Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens calls for the mark.
37 mins - TRY MOANA PASIFIKA
Another Moana Pasifika lineout. Moli throws and they win it. Enari picks and goes and he's clean through into the 22, before Plummer makes the tackle!
Motuga goes quickly, and wins a penalty. Tavatavanawai goes quickly and crosses the line - but did he tap it?
We'll check upstairs, but the on-field call is try. Yep, replays are all good - Moana Pasifika have their first try!
Lealiifano to convert from in front, and does.
BLU 17 MOA 10
36 mins
Moana Pasifika lineout, before they're awarded a free kick.
Enari takes the tap again and they go wide to the left. The Blues have turned it over though, and Eklund (?!) clears into touch.
35 mins
Blues lineout. Eklund throws, they win it and Plummer finds touch with his clearance.
34 mins
Moana Pasifika want to take the tap! Enari goes, and Funaki runs as they go wide.
Fomai ends up with it on the wing, before Leuila goes wider, but he's tackled into touch.
The Blues' defence has been excellent tonight.
33 mins
Lineout on the 5m line. Moli throws, Motuga wins it. Moana Pasifika look to recycle quickly, and are forced wide.
Moli goes but he's tackled and wins advantage. Curry and Apoua combine before Havili's attempted offload is lost forward.
We go back for the advantage.
32 mins
Leuila kicks off, and Clarke catches it after scoring. Renata runs to the Blues' 22, before Funaki box kicks, where Fomai beats Tuivasa-Sheck to the ball.
The Blues give away a penalty for not being back 10m. Leuila finds the corner for a lineout.
30 mins - TRY BLUES
Plummer finds touch for a lineout outside the 22. Eklund throws, they win it and go to the backs.
Ioane breaks the line - and then finds Clarke open inside him! Clarke won't be stopped from there as he dives over!
Plummmer converts from in front!
BLU 17 MOA 3
29 mins
Leuila kicks off, Darry wins it in the air.
Ioane is strong, and wins advantage as he runs from inside his own half. Funaki kicks over the top, but Havili gets there first so we go back for the penalty.
27 mins - TRY BLUES
Plummer finds the corner for another lineout. Eklund throws, and the Blues win it through Ioane.
Papali'i goes quickly, and finds Eklund on the blind side - and he goes over Enari to score in the right corner!
Can Plummer convert this one? Nope, he pushes it to the left of the post.
BLU 10 MOA 3
25 mins
Blues' scrum, on their own 5m line.
Funaki feeds, and goes to Tuivasa-Sheck off the back. Plummer clears from inside the 22, and it sits up for Havili to counter.
Havili chips over the top, but Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens ends up with it. Blues have advantage for offside as well.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens kicks over the top, but it goes into touch, so we go back for the penalty.
23 mins
Lealiifano kicks off, Aumua comes away with it - and Moana Pasifika are through!
They get inside the 5m line, but it looks like the Blues have turned it over? They have!
Ioane and Eklund the heroes there.
22 mins - TRY BLUES
Eklund throws, Ioane wins it and the Blues drive.
Eklund goes for the line, but he's tackled short, as does Tuungafasi. Ioane picks and goes and wins advantage - but they don't need it!
Akira Ioane scores the first try of the night. Plummer to convert, but the ball falls off the tee?
So no conversion then?
BLU 5 MOA 3
20 mins
Blues lineout. Eklund throws, Darry wins it and the Blues can attack inside the 22.
They've got advantage, and now a penalty as well. Plummer does find the corner this time.
19 mins
Do the Blues want the points? They do. Plummer lines up his first kick of the evening. But he hits the post!
The ball lands kindly for Moana, and they've got it again. Leuila clears into touch.
17 mins
Plummer kicks off, and Lam gives away a penalty by taking out Tavatavanawai in the air.
Leuila finds touch for a lineout on halfway. Moli throws, but it ends up on the Blues' side and they have advantage for knock-on.
Tuivasa-Sheck tries to step through the line, but he's tackled, as does Renata.
The Blues go right, where Lam kicks over the top - but Havili cleans up well.
Moana have the ball in their own 22. Lealiifano clears downfield, straight to Plummer.
Clarke runs it back, but he's tackled. Tuivasa-Sheck does the same. Darry and Tucker both hit the line, and the Blues have advantage.
Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens puts Heem in on the line, but Moana defend well. Plummer tries to kick through the line, fails, and we stop for the penalty.
13 mins - PENALTY MOANA PASIFIKA
Moana Pasifika want the points. Lealiifano lines up his first kick of the night.
Right out in front, and he makes no mistake to give his side the lead!
BLU 0 MOA 3
12 mins
Another Moana lineout. Moli throws, Faiilagi wins it.
Suafoa gives away a penalty as Moana Pasifika carry inside the 22.
11 mins
Havili's kick to touch is brilliant, and Moana Pasifika will have a golden chance with a lineout on the 5m line.
Moli throws, but the Blues get up to disrupt it and get it on their side.
Plummer finds touch with his clearance.
10 mins
Moana Pasifika scrum. Enari feeds, and runs off the back of it. Lealiifano goes wide to Fomai, and he carries to halfway.
McKee does the same, as Moana go back to the right. Advantage, and then a penalty for Moana, against Papali'i.
9 mins
Plummer can't find touch! His kick goes dead, so the penalty amounts to nothing.
Moana Pasifika to restart. Leuila kicks down to Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, as Suafoa takes the tackle next up.
Tuungafasi carries over halfway, as Plummer goes to the air.
The Blues knock-on though, looks like Tuungafasi.
7 mins
We go back for the scrum actually, as the Blues were playing under advantage.
They go right inside the 22, before going to the left as Plummer is taken.
Another advantage, as Heem kicks through the line.
Havili tidies up in goal, so we go back for the penalty.
6 mins
Moana Pasifika scrum. Enari feeds, and goes blind to Fomai, who kicks on the right flank but can't control it as the Blues get the ball back.
Plummer kicks through the line, but Lealiifano scrambles it into touch for a lineout.
4 mins
Blues lineout, Eklund throws and Tucker wins it. Akira Ioane carries towards the 10m line, before Plummer kicks. Havili takes it cleanly for Moana.
They carry over halfway, and go from left to right before Faiilagi slips over. Enari goes to the air with a box kick, straight to Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens.
The Blues have the ball again, Funaki is slow to play it though, and then box kicks. The ball bounces, but Clarke can't get it cleanly.
Enari box kicks this time, and Plummer takes it this time. Papali'i is taken high as he loses his footing in a tackle, play on though as the Blues have it.
Renata puts Tucker into a gap, and the Blues get into the 22. They go backwards though after a dodgy pass before Plummer tidies up.
The Blues go wide to the left, and Papali'i picks and goes to the 22, before Tuungafasi knocks on to bring a long passage to an end!
KICKOFF
We're away! Lealiifano kicks off - and it's into touch on the bounce.
7:04pm
And Dalton Papali'i leads the Blues onto Eden Park.
A small crowd in tonight, a lot of empty seats in the stands.
7:03pm
The weather has actually held tonight, but there has still been a lot of rain in Auckland throughout the week.
Fingers crossed for some good running rugby tonight!
Moana Pasifika make their way out of the sheds first.
7:00pm
Not long to go now! Both sides back in the sheds for their final prep.
6:53pm
Just over 10 minutes to kick-off. Big night on the cards for Harry Plummer, playing at No.10 for the first time this season.
Now, though, with Barrett scratched, the responsibility on his shoulders has only increased.
6:03pm
Good evening! Some late news for the Blues, Beauden Barrett has been ruled out with an achilles injury.
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens will start in the No.15 jersey, as Zarn Sullivan comes onto the bench.
***************
Kia ora, good evening and welcome to Newshub's live coverage of this Super Rugby Pacific clash between the Blues and Moana Pasifika, from Auckland's Eden Park.
Following the Hurricanes' loss with Fijian Drua earlier this afternoon, the Blues can potentially leapfrog their Kiwi rivals into second on the Super Rugby ladder with a victory tonight.
Since losing to the Chiefs at the start of April, the Blues are on a three-game winning streak, and could make it four as the pointy end of the season approaches.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been welcomed back into the Blues starting side after being ruled out since the middle of March with a hand injury, as one of nine changes to the side from last week's win over the Drua.
There's also a positional shift for Beauden Barrett, who moves into the No.15 jersey to show his wares at fullback as the All Blacks' season approaches.
However, the Blues are also without winger Mark Telea, who will sit out of tonight's clash on All Blacks enforced rest.
Moana Pasifika meanwhile have a much tougher ask, still seeking their first victory of 2023.
With nine defeats from nine played, Moana are all but certain to claim this year's wooden spoon, but the ignominy of losing every game they play will be something they'll be out to avoid at all costs in just their second Super Rugby season.
TAB odds: Blues $1.04, Moana Pasifika $9, draw $36
Teams:
Blues: 1-Ofa Tuungafasi, 2-Kurt Eklund, 3-Marcel Renata, 4-James Tucker, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Akira Ioane, 7-Dalton Papali'i (c), 8-Cam Suafoa, 9-Taufa Funaki, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 13-Bryce Heem, 14-AJ Lam, 15-Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Reserves: 16-Soane Vikena, 17-Josh Fusitu'a, 18-James Lay, 19-Tom Robinson, 20-Anton Segner, 21-Finlay Christie, 22-Rieko Ioane, 23-Zarn Sullivan
Moana Pasifika: 1-Abraham Pole, 2-Samieula Moli, 3-Chris Apoua, 4-Michael Curry, 5-Mike McKee, 6-Miracle Faiilagi, 7-Alamanda Motuga, 8-Solomone Funaki (c), 9-Ereatara Enari, 10-Christian Lealiifano, 11-Neria Fomai, 12-D'Angelo Leuila, 13-Levi Aumua, 14-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 15-William Havili
Reserves: 16-Luteru Tolai, 17-Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18-Tau Koloamatangi, 19-Alex McRobbie, 20-Jonah Mau'u, 21-Jonathan Taumateine, 22-Lincoln McClutchie, 23-Fine Inisi
