Aaron Cruden led the Chiefs to a 41‑26 bonus point win over the Blues after flanker Steven Luatua was red carded in Hamilton last night.
It was a competitive game throughout the first half with the Blues and the Chiefs exchanging exciting runs, and the Blues should have had a greater tally before the red card but fly‑half Ihaia West failed to get the ball through the uprights on a number of occasions.
The scorers:
For Chiefs:
Tries: Messam, McKenzie, Elliot, Boshier, Lowe, Lienert-Brown
Cons: Cruden 4
Pen: Cruden
For Blues:
Tries: Tuipulotu, Faumuina, Ranger
Con: West
Pens: West 3
Red Card: Luatua
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Faauli, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (c), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Michael Leitch, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Taleni Seu, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Toni Pulu, 23 Shaun Stevenson
Blues: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Akira Ioane, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 4 Jimmy Tupou (c), 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Matt Moulds, 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Hame Faiva, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Jerome Kaino, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 George Moala, 23 Rene Ranger
In another match, the Force defeated the Reds 26-19.
Today, the Hurricanes will host the Rebels at 4.15pm, the Highlanders will take on the Crusaders at 6.35pm, the Brumbies will meet the Sharks at 8.45pm while the Sunwolves will take on the Kings at 10.55pm.
