Cape Town - The Blues held on to beat the Rebels in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
As it happened: Blues v Rebels
The Blues won 36-30 after leading 24-18 at half-time.
The Blues scored six tries through hooker James Parsons, flank Jerome Kaino, prop Charlie Faumuina, flyhalf Ihaia West, wing Tevita Li and fullback Lolagi Visinia. West was also on target with two conversions, while Piers Francis also added a conversion.
The Rebels replied with four tries of their own by centre Reece Hodge, flank Jordy Reid, replacement Colby Fainga'a and wing Sefu Naivalu. Flyhalf Jack Debreczeni added two conversions and two penalties.
The Blues picked up four points for their victory to stay alive in the ultra-competitive New Zealand Conference, while the Rebels left Eden Park with a point for losing by seven or fewer points to remain in pole position in the Australian Conference.
In next weekend's Round 11 action, the Blues travel to Port Elizabeth to take on the Kings (Saturday, May 7 at 17:10), while the Rebels have a bye.
Teams:
Blues
15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Rieko Ioane, 13 George Moala, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.
Substitutes: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Matt McGahan, 23 Matt Duffie
Rebels
15 Johan Placid, 14 Sefu Naivalu, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Tamati Ellison, 11 Cam Crawford, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Sean McMahon, 6 Jordy Reid, 5 Lopeti Timani, 4 Luke Jones, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith
Substitutes: 16 Pat Leafa, 17 Cruze Ah Nau, 18 Tim Metcher, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Colby Fainga'a, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Kotaro Matsushima, 23 Sione Tuipulotu