The Chiefs survived a dramatic final-minute scare to edge the Blues 32-31 in a pulsating Super Rugby Pacific derby at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night.
Key moments:
14′ – Daniel Rona try, Damian McKenzie conversion missed (5-0)
25′ – Damian McKenzie penalty (8-0)
33′ – AJ Lam try, Harry Plummer conversion (8-7)
37′ – Damian McKenzie try, Damian McKenzie conversion (15-7)
39′ – Mark Tele’a try, Harry Plummer conversion missed (15-12)
50′ – Corey Evans try, Harry Plummer conversion (15-19)
58′ – Tupou Vaa’i try, Damian McKenzie conversion (22-19)
62′ – Cortez Ratima try, Damian McKenzie conversion (29-19)
65′ – Marcel Renata try, Xavi Taele conversion (29-26)
71′ – Damian McKenzie penalty (32-26)
75′ – Rieko Ioane try, Xavi Taele conversion missed (32-31)
In a match where momentum swung dramatically throughout, the Chiefs maintained their position atop the competition table while condemning the defending champions to their fourth defeat in five matches.
On a perfect evening in Hamilton, both sides emerged wearing Marvel-inspired kits for Super Rugby’s Kids Round – the Chiefs in Black Panther black and the Blues in Spider-Man red and blue. The packed crowd was treated to a contest worthy of superhero billing, with the sides trading blows from the opening whistle.
The return of All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie from a knee injury proved decisive, with the diminutive first-five orchestrating a Chiefs attack that looked dangerous whenever given space, while contributing 17 points including a brilliant individual try.
The opening exchanges were frantic as both teams looked to establish dominance. After five minutes, the Chiefs had their first opportunity but McKenzie’s long-range penalty attempt struck the post. The home side continued to apply pressure, and after several waves of attack, the breakthrough came in the 14th minute through late replacement Daniel Rona.
It was a moment of brilliance from fullback Shaun Stevenson, returning to the starting line-up, who delivered a stunning behind-the-back pass to send Rona over untouched. McKenzie couldn’t add the extras from the touchline.
The Chiefs extended their lead to 8-0 midway through the first half when McKenzie slotted a straightforward penalty after Blues hooker Kurt Eklund was caught not rolling away at the breakdown.
The Blues, with their reshuffled lineup following late withdrawals to Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Caleb Clarke and Cam Suafoa, finally found their rhythm after sustained pressure in the Chiefs’ 22. Multiple phases near the line eventually saw them spread the ball wide where AJ Lam crossed in the corner, narrowly evading Emoni Narawa’s attempted intercept. Plummer added the conversion to bring the score to 8-7.
The home side responded immediately. After a poor pass from halfback Xavier Roe hit the ground at McKenzie’s feet, the All Black playmaker gathered the ball, spun through two Blues defenders and accelerated under the posts. His conversion put the Chiefs 15-7 ahead.
Just before the break, the Blues earned a penalty and kicked to the corner. From the resulting lineout, they worked the ball wide where Mark Tele’a produced a spectacular flying finish in the corner. Plummer couldn’t convert from the touchline, leaving the Chiefs 15-12 ahead at half-time.
The second half began with immediate drama. After a Mark Tele’a linebreak was foiled by a handling error, the Blues weren’t to be denied minutes later. Sam Nock recollected his own chip and chase, then found captain Patrick Tuipulotu in support, who thundered downfield before being dragged down just short. At the ensuing ruck, Naitoa Ah Kuoi was yellow-carded for interfering with the halfback.
The Blues capitalised immediately. Another wayward pass was snaffled up by fullback Corey Evans who dodged back infield, carving through a gap to score. Plummer’s conversion gave the visitors a 19-15 advantage – their first lead of the match.
Despite being a man down, the Chiefs responded magnificently through their powerful forward pack. After earning several penalties and sending them to the corner, they eventually got their reward when All Black lock Tupou Vaa’i, who had earlier been a concern with a knee issue, stretched over from close range. McKenzie’s conversion restored the Chiefs’ lead at 22-19.
The match then exploded into life with the try of the night. The Chiefs forced a turnover deep in their own territory, and McKenzie sparked a devastating counter-attack, weaving through defenders before releasing replacement Samipeni Finau who galloped downfield. His well-timed pass found Leroy Carter, who in turn fed replacement scrum-half Cortez Ratima for a stunning score that McKenzie converted for a commanding 29-19 advantage.
The Blues, refusing to surrender, stormed back into Chiefs territory. Even after Xavi Taele was shown a yellow card for repeated infringements at the breakdown, the Blues managed to strike while a man down. Replacement prop Marcel Renata burrowed over from close range before Taele returned to add the conversion, reducing the deficit to 29-26 with 15 minutes remaining.
McKenzie’s 71st-minute penalty extended the Chiefs’ lead to six points, but the Blues continued to press. With five minutes remaining, Stephen Perofeta – making his first appearance of the season from the bench – delivered a pinpoint cross-field kick that found Rieko Ioane, who scored in the corner to pull the Blues within one point.
In a moment that would ultimately decide the match, Taele’s attempted conversion from the touchline struck the upright, leaving the Chiefs clinging to their one-point advantage.
The drama continued right to the final whistle. The Blues earned a last-gasp penalty with just a minute remaining but incredibly missed touch. The Chiefs then kicked the ball back to the Blues in a bizarre final exchange, with Finlay Christie attempting a desperate cross-field kick that was cleaned up by the Chiefs, allowing them to boot the ball into touch and secure victory.
The win ensures the Chiefs remain at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table, while the Blues, despite their vastly improved performance, continue to languish near the bottom. They did, however, leapfrog Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua thanks to the losing bonus point.
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