Chiefs
20
Match Complete
Blues
13
| 50 |  | B. Barrett | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 45 | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 26 | ||
| E. Narawa |  | 25 | ||
| 16 | | C. Clarke | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 11 | ||
| 8 | | R. Riccitelli | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 1 | ||
| E. Narawa | | 0 |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Get ready for one of the games of the season, as the Blues travel to Hamilton to take on the Chiefs. Join The Roar for live scores from 5.05pm AEDT.
Both sides have some big inclusions, particularly in the second-row with Tupou Vaa’i returning for the home side and big Patrick Tuipulotu for the Blues.
The unbeaten Chiefs have named a settled side, with Damian McKenzie returning to the No.10 jersey and Shaun Stevenson moving to fullback after coming off the bench last week.
“This is a game that the boys look forward to,” head coach Clayton McMillan said. “They are our closest neighbours and they are a team stacked with All Blacks.
“They understand how they want to play and they have the ability to impose that game on you if you allow them. They present a significant challenge.
“The rivalry seems to bring the best out in both teams and I anticipate this will be a very physical contest.
“We owe it to our loyal supporters to deliver a performance that they can be proud of and hope they arrive in droves to witness what should be a barn-stormer.”
The Blues, meanwhile, had made sweeping changes after resting a handful of stars last weekend.
Halves Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett return, as does Rieko Ioane at outside centre and Caleb Clarke on the wing.
The Blues have some much needed strength coming off the bench after Tuipulotu’s return, while Ofa Tuungafasi and James Lay offer some muscle too.
“Nothing beats the Battle of the Bombays! We’ve had some epic matches over the years and I’m sure this will be no different. Bragging rights are on the line,” Blues captain Dalton Papalii said.
“The Chiefs have been the form side so far this season, they’re unbeaten and playing some good code, but there’s a focus and intensity to what we’ve been doing this week, we’re ready to head down the road and take the game to them.”
Game information
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato
Kick-off: 5.05pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Chiefs $1.75, Blues $2.08 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs: Ollie Norris, Samisoni Taukei’aho, John Ryan, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Rameka Poihipi, Daniel Rona, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Tyrone Thompson, Aidan Ross, George Dyer, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Pita Gus Sowakula, Cortez Ratima, Bryn Gatland, Liam Coombes-Fabling
Blues: Jordan Lay, Ricky Riccitelli, Nepo Laulala, Cameron Suafoa, Sam Darry, Anton Segner, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Harry Plummer, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, Stephen Perofeta
Replacements: Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, James Lay, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tom Robinson, Sam Nock, Corey Evans, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Zarn Sullivan)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Highlander
Roar Guru
Huge game - we have so many good young loosies in the country right now
Highlander
Roar Guru
Has it been confirmed that Cane didnt leave anything out there? Would be worth checking.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Samipeni Finau. Nobody ever mentions him but that was another impressive performance. Still only 23, could be one to watch.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I thought this was a very good battle. Chiefs started off well with the early try. The Blues stayed in the game well and was good to see their scrum having the edge. Chiefs defence was big at the end. I hope Beauden Barrett is shouting the Blues a box of beers for that botched try.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Yep. Uru got pinged for taking down Cody Taylor a couple of metres past the ruck.
woodart
Roar Rookie
yes, I wouldnt pick barrett or ioane on current form. sotutu looks good.
WEST
Roar Guru
Definitely, ABs selectors need to do NZ a favour and actually select on the best performances.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Geez a proper top match from a couple of good teams. By geez Brodie and Sam Cane left nothing out there (though Cane eyes may still be watering), I was impressed with quite a few tonight, will go to bed pretty content with that.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
It’s never a good strategy to bag legends but Barrett was really poor. He isn’t in the top 3 AB fly halves on this performance
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
It's a big worry. We're not actually playing well.
donmcdazzle
Roar Rookie
Neither of the 10s looked any good there. McKenzie for all his skill and acceleration just isn’t a top class 10. Makes far too many bad decisions for test level. The running sideways across the field is so bad, just speaks to a player without a clear idea of what options he should be taking and a lack of organising those outside him to execute what he wants from 10. And Barrett, I’m not even sure he makes the ABs at this point. He can’t be the 10 - same old issues on display again today. And there’s no way he’s our best fullback so Fozzie has a big decision to make there. The irony is Perofeta is probably the best pure 10 of all 3 but is stuck playing at fullback.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Great words from Weber about Cane. Hatchet job on him by the Auckland media disgusts me.
Emery Ambrose
Roar Rookie
Phew!! Well done chiefs!! Could have been a different story had the blues not dropped the ball…. Like every time they were close.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Players love being interviewed by Kirsty :laughing:
WEST
Roar Guru
Good job chiefs :thumbup: still unbeaten! Good game, Blues just not clinical enough. Blew a number of opportunities. Chiefs defence was impressive.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
Go the Chiefs. Great defence. Too many unforced errors from Blues in the red zone. Tight game. No territory in 2nd half for the Chiefs. Well done.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Ratima is a super sub ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
There was a penalty like that in the Crusaders game yesterday ...
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Woooooohooooooo! What a gritty performance. Blues defence and set piece so much better than us. We've really missed big Angus this season. Brodie and Cane absolutely immense.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Chief’s, record achieved also. Congratulations to their supporters, the Blues with too many errors cost them the game.