Chiefs
12
Match Complete
Blues
24
| 71 |  | M. Telea | ||
| 68 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| 63 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 56 | ||
| 52 | | O. Black | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 40 | ||
| 36 | | O. Black | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 20 | ||
| 14 |  | O. Black | ||
| 14 | | H. Sotutu | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 11 |
| 0 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 0 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
A mouthwatering clash kicks off Round 2 of Super Rugby Aotearoa when the Chiefs host the Blues. Join The Roar for live scores from 5:05pm (AEST).
These sides had contrasting fortunes last week, the Chiefs’ spluttering lineout not helping the cause in their loss to the Highlanders, while the Blues feasted on the Hurricanes’ throwing woes to make it a perfect start to the New Zealand competition in front of their home fans.
This week it’s the Chiefs with hosting privileges, and they’ll be hoping playing in the familiar (and crowded) surrounds of FMG Stadium Waikato will give them an edge.
Another area where they’ll be looking for some improvement is in the halves, with first-five Aaron Cruden coming into the starting side for Kaleb Trask. Cruden was impressive after coming on in the second half against the Landers, and his selection in the run-on side provides a mouthwatering clash of fullback-flyhalf combinations: Cruden and Damian McKenzie for the home side, Otere Black and Beauden Barrett for the Blues.
Neither side have a full-strength pack at their disposal though. Chiefs captain Sam Cane is still not fit to play, still sidelined with a back injury, while the Blues have lost Blake Gibson and Tom Robinson from the team that beat the Hurricanes. Still, in All Blacks pair Dalton Papalii and Akira Ioane, they have a couple of pretty handy replacements for the injured due.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato
TV: Fox Sports
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Teams
Chiefs
15 Damian McKenzie 14 Shaun Stevenson 13 Quinn Tupaea 12 Anton Lienert-Brown 11 Sean Wainui 10 Aaron Cruden 9 Brad Weber (c) 8 Pita Gus Sowakula 7 Lachlan Boshier 6 Luke Jacobson 5 Naitoa Ah Kuoi 4 Tupou Vaa’I 3 Nepo Laulala 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho 1 Aidan Ross
Bench: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Reuben O’Neill, 18 Ross Geldenhuys, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Kaleb Trask, 23 Solomon Alaimalo
Blues
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 TJ Faiane, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Sam Nock; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman
Reserves: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 20 Tony Lamborn, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Matt Duffie
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I'll say it again BBBB is a better flyhalf than 15. He's too good with ball in hand to not be there
Lara
Guest
I am really confused how the Chiefs are playing. The Blues deserve to win, were more enterprising, ok but not great. The Chiefs flair is gone. You have D Mac, Crudes, Weber n ALB, some decent wingers n nothing.....was it just a bad night ? Please explain....totally confused.
Tony
Guest
Couldn't agree more - not AB coach material in personality either give me a combo of Robertson/Tony Brown any day after Foster
Harry Selassie
Roar Rookie
The Blues really are enjoyable to watch now. They have always been good with the ball in hand but now they do so many things right. Patrick Tuipolotu has been fantastic, he is really shining on both sides of the ball. I am still amazed that Hoskins Sotutu is just 21. He is doing it all. Powerful runner, always seems to be around the ball defensively and since the return he’s been excellent on lineouts, both when the Blues are taking one or when they are defending. And did you see the lay off he gave Telea for the final try? All as a 21 year old. Very impressive.
Double Agent
Guest
Surely he has to start next game.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Totally agree on PT, he is playing like a good big man can, he looking like a good hard international lock now! I think Beauden has given the Blues back a decent brain, and we all knew that the Blues have had excitement machines and a steady brain was always going to turn them into a good unit!!
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Yep and he not the set piece coach anyway, that is Neil Barnes.
Highlander
Guest
I would play him at 10 as well Hoping he is selected at fullback against us Enjoy the game, make sure everyone you know rocks up too
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Nah, kick it, attack the breakdown, hence they Chiefs would run with it.
Slackbladder
Roar Rookie
Disagree Highlander, once Barrett got to 10 the game changed, forwards were going forward and Tuipulotu, in particular, looked like the All Black he has threatened to be. Barrett has made ordinary Canes packs look competitive for several seasons by putting them in the right parts of the field. Confidence of those around him once he got to 10 was telling leading to the last try. I would play him at 10 from now on the watch the old Blues return. Big turn out planned for Blues v Highlanders on 27th, I'm going (with kids) to see BB.
Highlander
Guest
No need to conflate the 2 JD He is a good coach and we/you will benefit from having him home But the Wales grand slam side finished above only Italy in scrum and lineout stats. The Lions lineout numbers here are well documented, they were poor - and their much vaunted scrum didn't make a dent even on the AB 7 man pack for an hour in test 2. As for the Chiefs make up, yes you have players out, but you got manhandled by a bunch of no names in the Highlander tight five last week, and it got worse yesterday. Just an observation re his forwards coaching but it seems to be consistent.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Maybe, but should have kept ball in hand then.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I thought that the Lions set piece held up as well as anyone against us Highlander. And Wales did well considering the cattle at their disposal, they simply don't have the talent of the English, Irish, French etc. The Chiefs are missing four international tight forwards, all their experience at lock, and the All Black captain. They have two 20 year olds in the second row. They need to improve, but there are mitigating circumstances. This is the most successful 5/6 nations coach ever, with a country that had won two titles in 27 years. He is the only Lions coach to avoid defeat in two consecutive tours, one of only two to avoid defeat here. He won Waikato one our two NPCs. He improved Ireland's position in the 6n every year he was there. He turned Wasps from relegation battler to 3X English champs and European champs. Personally I trust him to get it right at the Chiefs and think we're lucky to have him!
soapit
Roar Guru
i wouldnt have him near the all blacks unless youre desperate
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Well that's for others to decide.
Clash
Roar Pro
You mean you love negative crap?
Clash
Roar Pro
FFSake. Give it a rest.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Very true!
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Highlander, they played Perofeta at 15 before the Covid-19 suspension and he was impressive. Barrett I have no doubt will be great for the Blues but it’s a 15 man game.
Highlander
Guest
Totally concur RT Barrett little impact for me so far