This opening Round 14 Super Rugby clash sees the Chiefs travelling to Auckland to play the Blues. Join The Roar from 5:35pm (AEST) for all the live action as we cover this Round 14 match from New Zealand.
An exciting clash looms for us this evening between these two neighbouring franchises and both eager to reverse losses suffered in Round 13, particularly the Chiefs who are right in the thick of the scramble for the playoffs and will be looking to keep in touch with their conference rivals.
On paper, both sides looked to have named their strongest available sides, the Chiefs looking particularly imposing up front thanks to their All Black second row and have bought Liam Messam to start at 8 tonight with the absence of Michael Leitch forming a strong and experienced loose forward trio.
The Blues pack also has a strong look to it with several All Blacks and an exciting loose forward trio themselves led by Stephen Luatua so the battle up front will be keenly contested.
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Both backlines are littered with exciting talent and if we get an open encounter this evening there should be plenty of shots for the highlight reel with the likes of Reiko Ioane and Sonny Bill Williams looking to set the Blues alight while the electric Damian Mckenzie and James Lowe will be a danger for the Blues defence all night long.
Where the Chiefs look to have a significant advantage is in their halves where the experienced International pairing of Tawera Kerr Barlow and Aaron Cruden will be steering the Chiefs around the park and have certainly exhibited more control across the season than their Blues counterparts, Augustine Pulu and Piers Francis, who have their work cut out for them this evening.
Tip
Chiefs by 12. Too much experience in the crucial positions for me and the Chiefs have far more to play for at this stage of the season.
Join us here on The Roar from 5:35pm AEST as we cover all the action live from Eden Park and don’t be shy from leaving your thoughts below!
Thaikiwi
Roar Rookie
Lower Hut hosp born, Wainuiomata raised when it was country and eeling where the shopping centre is. Upper Hutt Teen, Waikato man, no wonder I'm mixed up lol.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
In defence of Tana, Mark... hard to change a misfiring toxic unit in 5 minutes ... I can only assume that every team you follow must have achieved instance success.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Jock he is in the mix, a great exciting player to watch but maybe (imo), just a bit loose and small to demand the first up roll, at least at fullback... Maybe he will develop as a first five next year after Cruden leaves..
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Ohh Kia Kaha?... Wins??? ... well for sure I do not need to take of my shoes and socks to count those occasions! ... :)
taylorman
Roar Guru
No one better than Blues fans know how to cut their losses kia, we're experts at it.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Any chance Mckenzie getting the 15 jersey for abs? I think he would be fantasstic. Put Barrett outside centre.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers lads, too kind!
Mark
Guest
Tana Umaga Another in a long line of talentless moronic loser coaches appointed by the worst administration in sports The Blues - sod all talent and even less brain power
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Only for the Chiefs to nab a try after the hooter and the fat lady gets struck down with tonsilitis. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses... and your wins and settle for the draw.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Sister-in-law?
Machooka
Roar Guru
It's da rub OB... and whether right or wrong it sadly happens week in and week out. The only issue is usually who's turn... and in this case you've had it again! Sorry buddy
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Kia Kaha,,, the Blues had their chances ...Francis kicks the penalty in the last 5 mins and the fat lady would have started to warm up her tonsils...
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Haha...that's it, man. Ya got plug in that faith and keep it 100% Zen! Ya try and be that deity machine !?!
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Yeah man the valley bro!!! You just can't take our that bogan edge!! ...more that grunge kinda a thingy... :)
Old Bugger
Guest
Chook I thought, by your earlier comment, that you also saw something in the refs performance....! Did I or did I not...?? I will drag you into this one because 2 weeks in row, is unfathomable.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Too right Madrid Man...
DaniE
Roar Guru
Hungry to eat some fried chicken now
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
By the way, good to see you live blogging again D.C. Your blogs are artwork and your high 5 series are more important than 5 veg a day.
Machooka
Roar Guru
You are deep of faith... suck it in and down :)
Machooka
Roar Guru
I am chicken legs, chicken feet (sans tomato sauce), and only require the odd hand towel ;(