The Chiefs have come away with a two-point win in all-New Zealand derby.
Final score
Chiefs 21
Blues 19
The Chiefs will aim to continue their pursuit for the top of the New Zealand conference when they host the struggling Blues in Waikato during Round 8. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:35pm (AEST).
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Chiefs, but they have won four of their first five games for the season and been dominant, especially at home.
The Chiefs have plenty going for them this year and a huge win over the Highlanders last week got the wheels well and truly in motion that this could be the year for the club.
That’s if they weren’t already of course, given the Chiefs belted Japanese club the Sunwolves 61-10 the week before. It’s clearly filled their attack with confidence and unless defence for the Auckland-based outfit is the order of the day, they could concede a lot of points today.
The sides have already played once this season, with the Chiefs managing to take a narrow victory to the tune of 31-17.
If the Blues are to stop a repeat of that swim, then it’s all going to be down to the start by stopping the Chiefs from getting any sort of margin, which allows them to build confidence. Essentially, once the Chiefs get out in front, they are a very difficult team to track down.
Even saying that though, the Blues know how to find points. They ran up more than 40 a few weeks ago against the Rebels in Melbourne and will be looking to do the same here. Running up 40 against the Chiefs is easier said than done though, given their tight defensive structures.
Prediction
It’s going to be absolutely impossible to tip against the Chiefs, who are not only at home, but playing an outfit who haven’t inspired a great deal of confidence from their fans so far this season. However, this is going to be a lot closer than people think.
Chiefs by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this Round 8 Super Rugby match from 5:35pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Blessing
Roar Rookie
Jones, Kronfeld, McCaw before him. The next generation are not shabby either, Ardie, Dillon Hunt, Mitch Karpik, Blake Gibson and Dalton Papali'i have all caught the eye in the games that I have seen them play. Like my old man always says, Opensides grow on trees in NZ. ?? As for the Blues, I will stick to that old adage, if you do not have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Why is everything italics? Maybe to many Macs Gold on my behalf?
Machpants
Roar Guru
The Blues lost mainly because their exit kicking was as bad as the Wallabies, close and enjoyable game, intense effort but neither team that good - and more injured ABs to worry about
Diggercane
Guest
Vastly improved Blues effort but Chiefs too good in the end. Looking forward to next Friday!!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Chiefs close the game in true Champion style.
Highlander
Guest
40 minutes of real solid code Big big defensive effort from the Blues Sam Cane captained that superbly Chiefs usual suspects magnificent
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Penalty try Chiefs Intense!
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Blues has a man in the bin. And are under warning from the ref. 10 more minutes.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Brodie has in a couple of moves showed why he is world class. ALB had an amazing ankle tap on Rieko No scoring in the second half. But it is not bad rugby.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Closing in on the 60-minute mark, and the Blues keep on getting mini breaks when they need them.
Highlander
Guest
Probably Viking
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Highlight real tackle by... Gatland. Perfect execution.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
T-man, RT, and BF! Do you believe? Can you see a difference?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Am I jinxing it by saying this could be the day for the Blues ;)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Probably the Blues most structured half of rugby this year. 40 more minutes? They are gonna have to earn it, Chiefs are a really good team, maybe even a darkhorse for the title.
Highlander
Guest
Only30 minutes from McKenzie the Younger but his best half an hour of decision making in a long time, in particular his passing options. Blues had a real examination and got through it. I do get nervous when so many of our top players are in top form so early in the season. Cane and Retallick are unreal, both Smiths, both Whitelocks, Squire, Naholo, Taylor and Barrett the Elder have all flown out of the blocks. Would be nice to have some props standing up to cover the 4 injured boys.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Moala and Kaino out also. Is that a really bad thing? Anyone impressed by their performances this year?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Shag, Fox and the maybe next one in the crowd. They blended in really well.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Some pretty good rugby is played. Kudos to both teams.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Oh no. Dmac injured. Can be serious. Really hope not. Massive break for the Blues though.