Chiefs beat Blues 19-15 at Eden Park

Blues 15-19 Chiefs, Eden Park

The Chiefs claimed a late 19-15 victory over the Blues at Eden Park after replacement scrum-half Cortez Ratima scored the decisive try in the closing minutes of a tightly contested Super Rugby clash.

Tight first half dominated by defence

Both sides struggled to break through early as defences controlled territory. The Blues almost struck first when Bradley Slater was held up over the line, while Tupou Vaa’i came close for the visitors after a kick into space.

The breakthrough finally arrived when Vaa’i powered over for the opening try in the 31st minute. The Blues responded quickly, Caleb Clarke breaking the line before Zarn Sullivan finished the move to level the scores at 5-5.

Kaylum Boshier was then shown a yellow card late in the half, but the Chiefs held firm and the teams went into the break tied at 5-5.

Blues edge ahead after interval

After the restart, Dalton Papali’i crashed over from close range in the 52nd minute following strong work from Sullivan to give the hosts the lead. Sullivan kicked the conversion to make it 12-5.

The Chiefs answered through hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, who peeled off a rolling maul to score and bring the visitors level by the start of the final quarter.

Sullivan then kicked a penalty to put the Blues back in front as the match headed toward the final quarter with a 15-12 lead.

Ratima seals late comeback

The decisive moment came four minutes from time. After a powerful carry from Samipeni Finau, Ratima sprinted clear to score the winning try and silence the home crowd.

A late yellow card to Sam Nock and a missed final lineout ended the Blues’ hopes of a comeback, securing the Chiefs bragging rights.

Team line up:

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Akhi, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (captain), 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Sam Darry, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Bradley Slater, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.

Reserves: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Laghlan McWhannell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Sam Nock, 22 Xavi Taele, 23 Codemeru Vai.

Chiefs: 15 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 10 Josh Jacomb, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Luke Jacobson (captain), 7 Jahrome Brown, 6 Kaylum Boshier, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Jared Proffit.

Reserves: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Samipeni Finau, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Tepaea Cook-Savage, 23 Kyle Brown