Brumbies 12-18 Blues: Bonus-point win for Kiwis in Canberra

Melani Nanai scored the Blues' bonus-point try

The Blues scored three tries while keeping the Brumbies try-less to claim a bonus-point 18-12 win in Canberra.

The Blues stretched the Kiwi winning streak over Australian opposition to 15 games this season.

It was only the Blues' fifth win in their last 34 games away from home but four of those wins have come in Australia.

Despite remaining last in the New Zealand conference, the Blues were too good for the Australian conference-leading Brumbies - underlining the yawning gulf between the trans-Tasman rivals.

"It's massive for us to get a bonus point in Canberra and I am extremely proud of the boys' resilience," said Blues skipper James Parsons.

"We've had a hard time back at home but to come away and get this win sets us up nicely after the Waratahs won [in Brisbane], so we will be going to Sydney next week pretty happy."

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sean Fitzpatrick selects his All Black of the week

Inside centre Sonny Bill Williams and blindside flanker Steven Luatua pushed their All Blacks selection claims for the coming British and Irish Lions home series with strong performances for the Blues.

The Blues dominated possession and territory to score their tries through Matt Duffie, Akira Ioane and Melani Nanai with Bryn Gatland - son of Lions coach Warren - landing a penalty.

Fly-half Wharenui Hawera scored all of the Brumbies' points with four penalty goals.

The Brumbies missed 54 tackles and made six handling errors but still came away with a losing bonus point. They hold a five-point lead over the Waratahs in the Australian conference.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Highlanders racked up a half-century against the Stormers on Friday

Winger Duffie opened the scoring in the 31st minute from a George Moala offload and a Hawera penalty kept the Brumbies in the game at 8-3 at half-time.

Hawera reduced the gap to two points with another penalty three minutes into the second half and put the home team in front with his third three-pointer after 51 minutes.

But the Blues hit back with No 8 Ioane driving over for a try off a well-worked lineout to lead 13-8.

The Brumbies cranked up the pressure and Hawera's fourth penalty edged them to within one point with 20 minutes remaining.

But the Blues capitalised on their opportunities, with a Nanai try coming off a scrum to clinch victory.