AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) The Highlanders and Hurricanes, the finalists in Super Rugby last year, lost their opening matches in this year's championship on Friday.
Former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga made a winning start as coach of the Auckland-based Blues when they beat the defending champion Highlanders 33-31 in contentious fashion.
The Blues clinched victory with a 71st-minute try to lock Patrick Tuipulotu but the try was disputed because a Highlanders defender was taken out of play in the buildup. Ihaia West converted to give the Blues a 33-24 lead which was slashed to two points when Highlanders fullback Ben Smith scored his second try of the match.
The Dunedin-based Highlanders led 24-17 after a first half which featured five tries. West kicked 18 points and set up a try to Malani Nanai to help steer the Blues to victory.
At the Australian capital Canberra, the ACT Brumbies beat the Hurricanes 52-10, handing the Wellington, New Zealand-based side its worst defeat since 2002 and a 60-7 loss to the Blues.
Wallabies Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Tevita Kuridrani, Sam Carter, and Argentina half Tomas Cubelli scored in the seven-try rout. It was co-captain Moore's 150th Super Rugby match.
The Hurricanes beat the Brumbies in the semifinals last year, but are starting over having lost All Blacks Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
