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| - The Auckland Blues snapped a woeful losing record when they beat a 12-man Wellington Hurricanes 24-15 in a Super Rugby clash in Wellington on Saturday. It ended the Blues run of 25 straight losses in away games in New Zealand, with their last derby away win also against the Hurricanes in 2013. The Blues, for so-long the under-achievers of New Zealand rugby, had their cause helped by the Hurricanes ill-discipline which saw prop Tyrel Lomax red-carded early in the second half for a shoulder to the head of Blues fullback Stephen Perofeta. With 13 minutes to go Vaea Fifita received a yellow card and Jordie Barrett was sin-binned soon after as the 'Canes record slipped to three wins from five games while the Blues now have four from six. The Auckland side has unearthed a self-belief after returning victorious from South Africa where they toppled the Northern Bulls and the previously unbeaten Western Stormers in recent weeks. However, it was hard to see them winning when the Hurricanes produced an explosive start with Ngani Laumape crashing through the Blues first line of defence, Fifita pulled in the remaining defenders leaving Ben Lam to scamper 30 metres to the line. It was the sort of start that would have seen the Blues of old lose heart, instead they produced a huge defensive effort as the Hurricanes controlled most of the first half and then took control as the 'Canes lost players in the second half. Captain Patrick Tuipulotu said there is a new determination within the side. "There's certainly a difference in mood ... it's a good feeling," he said. "What I'm most happy with is we managed to keep our composure especially in tough times. Certainly in past years we probably wouldn't have." After Lam's opening try, the Blues were forced to defend for the next 30 minutes until, in only their second foray inside the 'Canes 22, Akira Ioane crashed over with Otere Black adding the extra points. It was short-lived lead as they gave away a penalty from the restart allowing Barrett to slot a handy penalty for the Hurricanes. The Blues took charge of the second half with their cause helped with the early dismissal of Lomax. Mark Telea regained the lead with a try in the corner and after a Kobus van Wyk try put the 'Canes back in front 15-14, the Blues regained the lead with a Black penalty when Fifita was sent off for a no-arms tackle. With six minutes remaining the game was sealed by a penalty try when Barrett received his yellow card for a deliberate knock on when he was the last defender and the Blues had an overlap. cf/ecl
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