Blues complete pre-season rout
The Blues accounted for the two-time champion Chiefs 24-12 in Pukekohe on Friday, scoring four tries to two in brilliant conditions.
This followed after Umaga's charges demolished the Hurricanes 40-12 and the Rebels 59-7 in their first two pre-season outings.
The Chiefs made the early running on Friday and were rewarded with two first half tries on the back of some telling breaks from Blues mistakes.
However, a driving try to Patrick Tuipulotu brought the score back to 5-12 at half-time.
Things were made more challenging with a red card to skipper Jerome Kaino 10 minutes into the second half, after striking Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu.
Kaino swung his arm to free it after being held in a ruck, collecting Manu with an open hand.
"I did not mean it," Kaino said, adding: "Everyone knows it is not how I play the game."
It presented the Blues with a test of playing 30 minutes with 14 players, in which time they dominated possession and territory, scoring three unanswered tries in a strong display.
"The boys really rallied well in that time," Kaino said.
"Once we got back to our game plan, and the players stuck to doing their roles and keeping things simple, we did well."
Key among this was Tuipulotu and prop Charlie Faumuina, who prospered in open play, highlighted with a brilliant pick-up behind his back and key pass to put Lolagi Visinia clear for the try.
Kaino praised his senior players – Tuipulotu, Faumuina and James Parsons for a sterling second half, a powerful game on attack and defence from Male Sa'u and teenage Sevens star Rieko Ioane for his defensive efforts.
"We have some confidence that our game can work.
"But it is pre-season and all of that counts for nothing.
"Now the coaches have a really hard job to decide on 23 players for our first game against the Highlanders."
The Blues meet the Highlanders in the opening round of Super Rugby at Eden Park next Friday, February 26.
Scorers:
For the Blues:
Tries: Tuipulotu, Hall, Visinia, Duffie
Cons: West, Guyton
For the Chiefs:
Tries: Ngatai, Tamanivalu
Con: Cruden
Red card: Jerome Kaino (Blues, 50 – foul play, striking)
Teams:
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino (captain), 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements – from: James Parsons, Sam Prattley, Namatahi Waa, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Scrafton, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Kara Pryor, Joe Edwards, Billy Guyton, Matt McGahan, Male Sa'u, Rieko Ioane, Ben Lam, Matt Duffie.
Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Glen Fisiiahi, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Charlie Ngatai, 11 Sam McNicol, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Tom Sanders, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Taleni Seu, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Michael Allardice, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Rhys Marshall, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements – from: Nathan Harris, Mitchell Graham, Hiroshi Yamashita, Johan Bardoul, Tevita Koloamatangi, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Chase Tiatia, Anton Lienert-Brown, Latu Vaeno, Lalakai Foketi, James Tucker, James Lowe, Shaun Stevenson, Atu Moli.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
