Tonight’s first Super Rugby clash sees the New Zealand conference’s top placed team, the Chiefs take on the fifth placed Blues. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST).
In recent matches both the Blues and Chiefs have been playing their finest rugby of the season.
Traditionally the Blues vs Chiefs round has been neck-and-neck with the Chiefs winning 11 out of the last 21 games against the Blues.
As a team the Chiefs have the best tackle success rate (88%) in the competition.
On the other hand, 11 of the Blues’ tries this season have come in the 20 minutes after half-time – no other side has scored as many in this period.
Last weekend the Blues also defeated the Reds 44-14 and cemented their five game winning streak.
While the Chiefs have breathed life into their defence defeating the Lions 38-8 at Waikato Stadium, making for their first concescutive win over the Lions.
Both teams announced their Teams on Wednesday with the Chiefs making two changes to their forwards which will see prop Ben Tameifuna and lock Michael Fitzgerald starting.
The Blues have made one change to their starting fifteen. Blues head coach Sir John Kirwan said the change was injury-enforced after midfielder Franci Saili suffered a high ankle sprain during the lead-up to last weekend’s game.
Additionally Blues Jackson Willison is resting a hamstring strain, resulting in George Moala being promoted from the bench to start at centre.
After a strong season so far, and defeating the Lions last weekend, the Chiefs should get a win tonight at their home stadium against the Blues.
A win tonight will make the Chiefs Round 14 bye all the sweeter.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:35pm (AEST) and feel free to have your say on the game in the comments below.
TheSnake
Guest
Kirwan needs to be shot between the eyes
Tane Mahuta
Guest
NZRU not ARU.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
How are your Reds doing Buzzard? I hear they played the Blues last week. What was the score? No wonder you are pretending to be a Saders fan.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Mark. Did anyone say Visinia is ahead of those guys? No they didnt. Did I say the Blues were well run? No I didnt. Did I say that Tameifuna should be part of the ABs? Yes I did and the U20 NZ prop was part of the ABs wider training squad last year. Mark its no seceret that I think you talk sh-t, thats because you do. You are just one of those annoying guys that rant and rave extremely without consideration or any kind of reasonable thought. You make extreme and ridiculous statements about your own team and I have no time for people who are extreme and irrational. I missed your rants last week when the Blues thrashed the Reds, funny that. There is that saying that people are "fair weather fans" but you only seem to pop up when the Blues lose so youre probably a "bad weather fan". Enjoy putting your team down Mark and enjoy putting its players down. The thing I was referring to that was rubbish was Leo's comment that the Blues shouldnt try to win against NZ teams and the ARU should either sack him or force him to throw games. Thats something you would say Mark and its f---ing rubbish.
Mapu
Guest
How many of them are it Eden park...2.umm ok.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I agree with you mate, so did i. I was starting to think they had lost that desire to work hard for each other. I hope that lift in intensity is the start of things to come, it has been sorely missed this year. Love having Sweeney back, he is one of those dependable guys who balances out what can be an over excitable backline.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
"or is the bit where you think tamefunia can scrum? he’s unlikely to come anywhere near the ab’s…unless he can sort that bit out…he’s miles behind all the other props we have" That is laughable.
Buzzard
Guest
The Blues are absolute mud! Go the Saders! Let's gone Saders!
Kane
Guest
that would pretty much cost your team a place in the playoffs
Mark
Guest
what part of that was rubbish? the bit where the blues haven't won away in so long now noah was still building the ark the last time they did? or perhaps its the bit where you think visinia should be an all black - you seriously think he's ahead of jane, savea and smith? or is the bit where you think tamefunia can scrum? he's unlikely to come anywhere near the ab's...unless he can sort that bit out...he's miles behind all the other props we have... but its actually probably the bit where you think kirwan is a good coach, the blues are well run or that just about everyone who turns out for them should be an all black?!?!?!
Highlanders Fan
Guest
Best no 12 since Tim Horan.
Highlanders Fan
Guest
We've already played them twice, so I'm hoping the Blues WIN the rest of their NZ derbies.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
If Piutau has injured his medial ligament it could be anything from 3 weeks to season ending.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Nonu, arguably the best international 12 of the last 10 years, that Nonu?
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Rubbish.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Imo Tameifuna and Visinia should be around the ABs this year. I think Tameifuna should be used in June along with Fekitoa. Might be a bit early for Visinia but its not exactly the strongest English side coming so perhaps now that Piutau might be out, there might be a spot for a bolter like Visinia who is a similar kind of player, covering wing and fullback in a similar way.
Leo
Guest
The only way the Blues can make up thier embarrassment or at least be an adequate use to NZ rugby is to lie down and let the other NZ teams win thier next games against them and then stand up and beat the OZ and SA teams. NZRU needs to contact Kirwan and make this clear to them or else sack him.
Marty
Guest
a return of Chiefs breakdown aggression. Actually thought they might get rolled by the Blues tonight based on recent efforts, alas New Plymouth is well and truly another home for the Chiefs.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Arnt the players involved too? Im sure the opposition is a factor aswell but its all the coaches fault you say. So Hammett should have been sacked but not anymore, Blackadder should have been sacked but not anymore, Joseph too. That only leaves Graham and Kirwan who "must" be sacked. Give me a break. There is about 40 men involved and contributing factors. Its not all about the coach.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
I thought they had 5 games to go. Thats only a possible 25 points, double what they are on now.