Came away with a try after some patient play from the Chiefs about 10 minutes from the end of the first half. Disrupted a few of the Blues’ rucks but taken off just before the 55 minute mark.
3. George Dyer – 7
Secured himself a turnover and was industrious throughout his shift, particularly with his carries.
4. Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 7
Lead his team in tackles and was dominant at set pieces. Was patient with his play in attack and left the game with a try.
5. Josh Lord – 6
Carried the ball well and put in plenty of big tackles, but was taken off about the hour mark.
6. Samipeni Finau – 7
Also jumped in on the action with a try of his own after taking on plenty of carries for his team.
7. Jahrome Brown – 8
Helped to establish much of the Chiefs attack and put the Blues under pressure with his effective running.
8. Wallace Sititi – 7
The All Black tried to lead by example in his first game as Chiefs captain. Brilliant play with a quick tap off a scrum penalty to barrel himself over for a score and had some impressive play all round, but was taken off early in the second half.
9. Cortez Ratima – 7
Smart play at the breakdown to keep the ball moving despite being put under pressure often.
10. Josh Jacomb – 9
His goal kicking didn’t start well, but improved throughout the game. Was most effective with his passing, helping to provide the key moves for his side’s second and third tries. Brilliant defensive work to deny AJ Lam a second try.
11. Kyren Taumoefolau – 8
Impressive work out wide whenever the ball came near him and was too much for the Blues to handle.
12. Reon Paul – 9
Ran excellent lines against the Blues defence to put them under pressure and helped set up his side’s opening try. A powerful presence in midfield and was rightly rewarded with a try.
13. Daniel Rona – 6
Came through with plenty of carries in the first half and worked well in tandem with Reon Paul, but was taken off at about the 55 minute mark.
14. Daniel Sinkinson – 9
Good finish to extend the Chiefs first half lead and able to make the most of every chance thrown his way, particularly in the second half.
15. Liam Coombes-Fabling – 7
Left the Blues defence scrambling at times with his line breaks off limited carries, but also came away looking strong in defence.
Bench:
16. Brodie McAlister – 6
Dominant with his tackles when he came on and produced some excellent passes late in the game.,
17. Benét Kumeroa – 5
Made plenty of tackles in the limited time he was on the pitch.
18. Keran van Staden – 4
Made his debut for the Chiefs but had limited time to make too much of an impact.
19. Fiti Sa – 5
Eleven tackles in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch was excellent work to keep the Blues at bay.
20. Kaylum Boshier – 5
Named as vice captain and came on for captain Sititi and did well to lead the Chiefs for the last 25 minutes of the match.
21. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi – 5
Came on after 64 minutes and kept the ball moving effectively.
22. Tepaea Cook-Savage – 4
Didn’t have too much time to impose himself on the contest but slotted a conversion to help extend the Chiefs’ lead.
23. Lalakai Foketi – 4
Came away with seven tackles in the second half, but was restricted in his work overall.
Blues
1. Mason Tupaea – 4
Taken off just after half time and was helping to put the Chiefs under pressure at the breakdown in the first half.
2. James Mullan – 4
Made plenty of tackles and a few carries as well, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Chiefs from going ahead while he was on the pitch.
3. Marcel Renata – 4
Looked good at set pieces and unable to do much in open play. Taken off just after half time.
4. Josh Beehre – 5
Returns from a back injury and had a few strong carries, with some good work at the breakdown added to that. Substituted off after an hour of play.
5. Sam Darry – 5
Looked dangerous with the ball in hand and able to make a line break near the Chiefs 22 which ultimately came to nothing. Probably the best ball carrier for the Blues, but didn’t have enough help from the rest of his team.
6. Torian Barnes – 5
Scored a very early try when things seemed positive for the Blues. Happy to take on plenty of carries, bhut his influence waned throughout the game.
7. Anton Segner – 6
Made himself a real nuisance throughout the match and put in a strong captain’s performance. Secured himself multiple turnovers won, but it wasn’t enough to lead his team to victory.
8. Malachi Wrampling – 4
Off just before the hour mark with eight tackles and a turnover won
9. Sam Nock – 5
Kept the ball moving when he had the chance and wasn’t afraid to carry the ball when he had the chance to, but came off for Finlay Christie just before the 55th minute.
10. Stephen Perofeta – 5
Starting thanks to an injury to Beauden Barrett and will not want to look at the Chiefs’ fifth try of the night after he was outdone by the bounce of the ball. Wasn’t his most outstanding game, but came through with some decent carries and tackles.
11. Caleb Clarke – 7
Very active throughout his time on the pitch, particularly in attack where he kept the Chiefs guessing near their own try line and eventually rewarded with a try which was too little too late.
12. Pita Ahki – 4
Removed after an hour of play with just five tackles completed. Overrun in the midfield by a dominant Chiefs side.
13. Xavi Taele – 4
Came away with a consolation try right at the end of the game, but was overrun along with the rest of his team for most of the game.
14. AJ Lam – 5
Scored his eighth try of the season just before half time to keep the Blues in the contest and looked threatening throughout the match when he had the ball in hand.
15. Zarn Sullivan – 4
Took on goal kicking duties and wasn’t as strong as he needed to be in that department. Did a solid job under high balls but looked stretched in defence.
Bench
16. Eli Oudenryn – 6
First Blues cap, also named the club’s Development Player of the Year. Secured a try for himself as well and was very active from the moment he stepped foot on the pitch. Injected some life into the Blues, but wasn’t enough to help his side overall.
17. Ofa Tuʻungafasi – 5
Late addition after Josh Fusitu’a withdrew from the squad, made his 163rd Blues appearance when he came on just after half time. Looked good in scrums and at the breakdown but couldn’t impact the game as much as he might have wanted to.
18. Flyn Yates – 3
On for Renata just after half time, but unable to stamp his mark on the match.
19. Laghlan McWhannell – 3
Came on with about 20 minutes to go and made some good tackles.
20. Hoskins Sotutu – 3
On just before the hour mark and made some good carries but wasn’t as dominant in defence as he needed to be.
21. Finlay Christie – 3
Came on just before the 55th minute but had little to work with.
22. Corey Evans – 3
First appearance of the season after he recovered from pre-season ankle injury, but this probably wasn’t the best game for him to enter so late.
23. Codemeru Vai – 3
Returned to the squad after an ankle sprain and came on with about 20 minutes to go, but unable to impact the game with how strong the Chiefs were.
