Blues
39
Match Complete
Chiefs
19
| A. Lam |  | 82 | ||
| A. Lam | | 77 | ||
| O. Black |  | 74 | ||
| H. Sotutu | | 73 | ||
| O. Black |  | 64 | ||
| 62 | | B. Gatland | ||
| 60 | | S. Stevenson | ||
| Z. Sullivan | | 52 | ||
| 48 | | B. Gatland | ||
| 41 | | B. Gatland | ||
| O. Black | | 25 | ||
| A. Choat | | 25 | ||
| 21 | | B. Gatland | ||
| O. Black | | 18 | ||
| K. Eklund | | 17 | ||
| 3 | | B. Gatland |
| 6 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 4 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Blues will look to salvage some pride and build for the trans-Tasman competition when they welcome the Chiefs to this final-round match-up in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 5:05pm (AEST).
The messaging coming out of both camps has been quite different this week. For the Blues they’ve made it clear that they are not treating this dead rubber as a trial match but instead are going out to win well and build momentum for the next stages of the season.
They’ve made one change up front with Adrian Choat replacing Dalton Papalii and Tom Robinson shifting over to the blindside. Meanwhile, in the backs, Finlay Christie will get a shot at scrumhalf with Bryce Heem and Zarn Sullivan joining the back three.
The Blues have been saying this week that they are playing well in many areas of their game and are close to turning around the losses into wins. Unfortunately the reality is that they have failed to live up to pre-season expectations again and will have to watch on enviously as the Chiefs play in the first final of the season.
Speaking of the Chiefs, there’s an old and new look to their line-up for this match. They’re resting 11 players ahead of the final against the Crusaders, and so with another 12 players injured, there will be six Super Rugby debuts for the club in this game.
That’s the new side of things – on the old side, this match will see the surprise return of Chiefs hero Liam Messam for his 180th cap. He saw the Chiefs’ bat signal in the night sky, put his boxing training on pause and has put the boots back on for one more run out.
Prediction
This is the battle between pride and desire to impress. Can the wounded Blues get one over on their rivals or will the young talent of the Chiefs – who are trying to earn the right to play in the final next week – get the win?
It should be the Blues, but I’m tipping the Chiefs by five.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Blues $1.15, Chiefs $5.50 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Blues
15. Zarn Sullivan, 14. Bryce Heem, 13. Rieko Ioane (co-captain), 12. Tanielu Tele’a, 11. Caleb Clarke, 10. Otere Black, 9. Finlay Christie, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 7. Adrian Choat, 6. Tom Robinson (co-captain), 5. Sam Darry, 4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3. Nepo Laulala, 2. Kurt Eklund, 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe. Replacements: 16. Soane Vikena, 17. Ofa Tuungafasi, 18. Marcel Renata, 19. Josh Goodhue/Taine Plumtree, 20. Akira Ioane, 21. Sam Nock, 22. Harry Plummer, 23. AJ Lam.
Chiefs
15. Kaleb Trask, 14. Bailyn Sullivan, 13. Sean Wainui (captain), 12. Rameka Poihipi, 11. Shaun Stevenson, 10. Bryn Gatland, 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8. Pita Gus Sowakula, 7. Zane Kapeli, 6. Viliami Taulani, 5. Josh Lord, 4. Samipeni Finau, 3. Sione Mafileo, 2. Bradley Slater, 1. Ollie Norris. Replacements: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18. Joe Apikotoa, 19. Liam Messam, 20. Tom Florence, 21. Xavier Roe, 22. Rivez Reihana, 23. Gideon Wrampling.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He's been starting since Quin got injured, excellent rising player at this level.
That probably means Nankervill comes in to 12? He's been good
To me the all round blooper from the weekend was Coles and Hunts YCs....NZ refs in horrible form...
CUW
Roar Rookie
NZ refs dont seem to have any idea of this challenge thingy - and generally what a TMO shud do i mean last week if i remember right a captain challenged for a neck roll - thats the job of the TMO to look out for foul play !!! maybe pay some money and get a couple of retired european refs - theres nothing super about the reffing these days :unhappy:
CUW
Roar Rookie
the NZ reffing again showed to be below par - even with the captains challenge. the blues captain challenged the decision for a knock on - which TMO said was not. but then he found a different offense , based on which the try was disallowed. there was a valid question from chiefs - how can there be an offside if the ball was not knocked forwards? at the same time blues somehow retained the captains challenge - how i dont know!!! and later in the day there was a match in SA between stormers and sharks and a captains challenge was used. the challenge was for no release at tackle - which TMO found to be not the case , but like in blues match he found another offense, in this case knee on the ground while playing the ball. experienced ref Peyper reversed the penalty BUT he said since the captains challenge was for another offense its lost !!! it seems NZ refs are really off form and making too many mistakes - and worse of all the TMOs. last week blues captain papalii got injured and went off to be subbed - but by that time blues had used all the subs . it seemed no one noticed or questioned how it happened? also there was the case of Telia being not given a HIA and being subbed off. a couple of years back same thing happened with a crusaders player. how can such mistakes be made over and over? can understand the ref making errors on the run a in a fast game but the TMO and others making silly errors is not acceptable.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
No Scotty - I did not know that.
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
Did you not realise that the Chiefs played their B team tonight? Rested most of their starters.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The whole idea is that you have to be specific in the challenge. It's not meant to be a hit and hope. Bad officiating.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Bugger! That’s one tip down the toilet. Blues - you’re like an unpredictable girlfriend. Never know what ya gunna bring. Congrats for making the TT even more tantalising :happy:
Faith
Roar Rookie
I wonder whether a try should stay if your challenge on a specific matter cannot be transferred to another. Anyway, it feels like the subs would have tipped the Blues over ...
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I have not been impressed with Rieko's play at 13 but today he actually threw a couple of passes.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FINAL SCORE!!! Blues: 39 Chiefs: 19 The Blues have finished their Aotearoa season with a win over the Chiefs in an entertaining game that saw debutants and legends come together. The scoreline suggests a one sided affair but that couldn't be further from the truth. With under 20 minutes left in the game we had a tied game and the momentum was with the Chiefs. They'd kept snapping at the Blues' tail for most of the game and looked like the better side in most aspects of the match. The Blues will be happy that they managed to cope with the Chiefs and pull away in the final quarter but they will see this season as unsuccessful and that they've missed out again. They get a chance to right these wrongs in the Trans Tasman but they do have some work to do to be competitive every single week. The Chiefs will feel disappointed that they let this one get away as they could have taken it but given the fact that they'd made so many changes for this game and had so many new players and combinations, they will also see this as a successful run out. One big issue that will be spoken about after this game is the Captain's Challenge. The Blues used it effectively in the first half to get a Chief's try overturned but the try was cancelled out for an offside when the Challenge was about a knock on. The Chiefs will be concerned about Sean Wainui who limped off in pain as they will want him for the Final against the Crusaders. The Blues go back to training before heading to Melbourne to face a coachless Rebels side and will know that they have to make a positive start to the TT comp.
WEST
Roar Guru
Definitely bro, great for the new up and comers. Especially hanging out with Chiefs vet Messam. Good experience
WEST
Roar Guru
They’ll need that Mana in Christchurch. Tino kino te pai!!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Definitely the best move to rest the tired and give the squad some matchplay.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
He's simply not a test 13. Such a waste, he was the best 11 in the world 2018
WEST
Roar Guru
Sean Wainui .. Probably the best after match conversation I’ve ever heard!
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Robinson so right - they have to get the simple stuff right and they will win most of the matches against the Aussies. Sean Wainui is my favourite player, he's got a massive heart.
Faith
Roar Rookie
These Chiefs are a well coached team and if they get their heads up they can tip the Saders ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
Robinson reckons that a win like this (against Chief youn'uns) can trigger better things like it did for the Chiefs lol ...