Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Blues break drought with easy win over Lions

Updated at 5:15 pm on 12 May 2012

The Blues ended a seven-game losing streak with a 25-3 win over the Lions at Eden Park, Auckland, on Friday.

The win, only the second for the Blues in 11 games this season, lifts the team off the bottom of the Super Rugby competition standings.

Inside centre Michael Hobbs scored a try in the first half, and replacement back Alby Mathewson and captain Luke Braid touched down after the break to secure the win.

Braid says he's "ecstatic" - and relieved. "We were a little bit rusty at times," he says, "but we got the win and that's all that matters...

"I think the boys will be a lot more relaxed going into the next game against the Crusaders, so we can definitely build on it."

Celebrations were tempered by a leg injury to tighthead prop Charlie Faumuina, who limped off the ground in the third quarter.

The South African side's ninth loss from 10 matches puts them on the lowest rung of the competition ladder.

Meanwhile, the Waratahs' playoff hopes are all but over after their 27-24 loss to the Bulls in Sydney on Friday.

The home side was up 24-20 in the closing stages, only for the Bulls to snatch the game with a try two minutes from time.

Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand