It has been a pretty Good Friday for the Blues.

The Blues pulled away to defeat a spirited Melbourne Rebels outfit 40-23 at North Harbour Stadium in Albany last night.

The bonus point win moves them ahead of the Crusaders, temporarily at least, at the top of the New Zealand Super 15 rugby conference and to the top of the overall standings.

Two well taken tries to wing Rene Ranger and one each to wing Joe Rokocoko, second five eighth Benson Stanley and late match sealers from centre Jared Payne and flanker Luke Braid secured the five points, but coach Pat Lam would not have been entirely happy with the performance against a Rebels team who have conceded some big scores away from home.

In other matches tonight, the Crusaders take on the Highlanders at 7.35pm while at 9.40pm the Reds face the Waratahs.

Early tomorrow morning, the Chiefs play the Lions in Johannesburg.


Story by: Roneel Lal