Blues vs. Chiefs 2026
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Well, rubbish game overall I thought, lots of rust but to be expected in round 1. I thought both defences were pretty decent. The last try to Ratima was a thing of beauty. The lineout maul that was turned over was the turning point for the Blues which rolled into Nock being an idiot.
Gotta say that's probably the most lively I've heard a Blues crowd in a while, every other time I've been they're pretty quiet. Did have one fella near me who was giving it back to me but at the end wasn't happy with me cheering loudly and talking some light shit then said something along the lines of "you need to learn how to behave at the game."
Anyway, up the Chiefs.
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That really wasn't a looker. The quality was much lower than HEC and lower than Top 14, URC or Gallagher Premiership. If that's really the best NZ Rugby can offer, we're in trouble.
Chiefs won't care though. Winning ugly is still winning.
@sparky said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
That really wasn't a looker. The quality was much lower than HEC and lower than Top 14, URC or Gallagher Premiership. If that's really the best NZ Rugby can offer, we're in trouble.
I've seen some utter dross in those competitions too. Let's wait more than a week into the comp before declaring that the best NZ rugby can offer.
Not too long ago NH scribes would've been hailing it a defensive masterclass, not this tackling optional stuff...
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And for love of god, can someone in NZ start coaching passing in front of a player? The amount of attack ruined by players having to stop, or jump for a pass, or passes just going into touch.
Maddening
@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
And for love of god, can someone in NZ start coaching passing in front of a player? The amount of attack ruined by players having to stop, or jump for a pass, or passes just going into touch.
Maddening
Consistent demonstration that I'm not just a grumpy old man, but basic skills have regressed. Watching old games and backlines looked magnificent running onto balls that were placed in front of them at chest height. Now it seems like half of them are having to stop to catch a ball thrown behind their shoulder.
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@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Duluth said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
If I had to isolate a single factor for each team it would how poor Nock was when he came on, and how crafty Vaai was.
Darry and Ofa were going well too. Their replacements were fine but just not at the same level
Yeah, true. But nothing like the drop off for when Nock came on. I know it’s not cool to point this out, but the ginger half back is a very good player
Yeah nah, Christie was stuffing things up as well. He's a major handbreak. The backline looked so much better with Funaki and Plummer back in 2024.
@brodean said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Duluth said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
If I had to isolate a single factor for each team it would how poor Nock was when he came on, and how crafty Vaai was.
Darry and Ofa were going well too. Their replacements were fine but just not at the same level
Yeah, true. But nothing like the drop off for when Nock came on. I know it’s not cool to point this out, but the ginger half back is a very good player
Yeah nah, Christie was stuffing things up as well. He's a major handbreak. The backline looked so much better with Funaki and Plummer back in 2024.
Christie may be better than their currently contracted options, but his decision making is terrible and slow, with bang average skillset.
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@brodean said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Duluth said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
If I had to isolate a single factor for each team it would how poor Nock was when he came on, and how crafty Vaai was.
Darry and Ofa were going well too. Their replacements were fine but just not at the same level
Yeah, true. But nothing like the drop off for when Nock came on. I know it’s not cool to point this out, but the ginger half back is a very good player
Yeah nah, Christie was stuffing things up as well. He's a major handbreak. The backline looked so much better with Funaki and Plummer back in 2024.
Christie may be better than their currently contracted options, but his decision making is terrible and slow, with bang average skillset.
@antipodean probably the better box kicking saves him. Add to that his defense.
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@Kirwan said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
And for love of god, can someone in NZ start coaching passing in front of a player? The amount of attack ruined by players having to stop, or jump for a pass, or passes just going into touch.
Maddening
Consistent demonstration that I'm not just a grumpy old man, but basic skills have regressed. Watching old games and backlines looked magnificent running onto balls that were placed in front of them at chest height. Now it seems like half of them are having to stop to catch a ball thrown behind their shoulder.
@antipodean when it seems many of our players do things at pedestrian pace or take the ball standing still, little wonder we get it wrong when we actually play at pace.
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@antipodean when it seems many of our players do things at pedestrian pace or take the ball standing still, little wonder we get it wrong when we actually play at pace.
@taniwharugby the Blues play a static game with power players, there is no one in their side with any pace. Forbes and Sullivan (nice line for his try) don’t offer a point of difference at the back, Clarke is your power winger. Inside them the passing looks laboured - so it just adds up to blah. As a whole the pack looks powerful but no one stands out as being explosive. Didn’t notice Sotutu at all, Papalii was industrious without standing out - Barnes looked really good comparison.
Compare that to the Chiefs who alway looked more threatening . Their backline had some snap, Taukeiaho and Vaii where a class above their opposites. The Blues always looked like they would lose even when they were ahead.
The Sam Nock hate continues. His mistake was not pulling the ball out from the mall that was moving forward. Yes he should have but turning point etc is overstating the error - that was 11 minutes out. They were still had Waikato in the corner until Perofeta was offside and didn’t retreat giving away a penalty. That released the pressure.
The problem with the Blues is their backline still doesn’t function ( but early in the season ) and they lack pace. Patrick Tuipulotu will make a huge difference to the forward pack.
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@taniwharugby the Blues play a static game with power players, there is no one in their side with any pace. Forbes and Sullivan (nice line for his try) don’t offer a point of difference at the back, Clarke is your power winger. Inside them the passing looks laboured - so it just adds up to blah. As a whole the pack looks powerful but no one stands out as being explosive. Didn’t notice Sotutu at all, Papalii was industrious without standing out - Barnes looked really good comparison.
Compare that to the Chiefs who alway looked more threatening . Their backline had some snap, Taukeiaho and Vaii where a class above their opposites. The Blues always looked like they would lose even when they were ahead.
The Sam Nock hate continues. His mistake was not pulling the ball out from the mall that was moving forward. Yes he should have but turning point etc is overstating the error - that was 11 minutes out. They were still had Waikato in the corner until Perofeta was offside and didn’t retreat giving away a penalty. That released the pressure.
The problem with the Blues is their backline still doesn’t function ( but early in the season ) and they lack pace. Patrick Tuipulotu will make a huge difference to the forward pack.
@kev said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@taniwharugby the Blues play a static game with power players, there is no one in their side with any pace. Forbes and Sullivan (nice line for his try) don’t offer a point of difference at the back, Clarke is your power winger. Inside them the passing looks laboured - so it just adds up to blah. As a whole the pack looks powerful but no one stands out as being explosive. Didn’t notice Sotutu at all, Papalii was industrious without standing out - Barnes looked really good comparison.
Compare that to the Chiefs who alway looked more threatening . Their backline had some snap, Taukeiaho and Vaii where a class above their opposites. The Blues always looked like they would lose even when they were ahead.
The Sam Nock hate continues. His mistake was not pulling the ball out from the mall that was moving forward. Yes he should have but turning point etc is overstating the error - that was 11 minutes out. They were still had Waikato in the corner until Perofeta was offside and didn’t retreat giving away a penalty. That released the pressure.
The problem with the Blues is their backline still doesn’t function ( but early in the season ) and they lack pace. Patrick Tuipulotu will make a huge difference to the forward pack.
Nothing against Sam Nock at all and I've wanted him to come right forever, but when he's making the same mistakes in year 10 of his Super Rugby career like he has been doing in year 1, then yes, it becomes extremely frustrating as supporters. He still doesn't know how to dictate the pace of rolling mauls and doesn't have a loud enough voice to boss his pack(s) around 83 games into his Super Rugby career despite having the tools to become a very good halfback.
Fin Christie cops plenty on here (some deserved, some not), so Nock deserves the same criticism when he continues to make the same mistakes.
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@kev said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@taniwharugby the Blues play a static game with power players, there is no one in their side with any pace. Forbes and Sullivan (nice line for his try) don’t offer a point of difference at the back, Clarke is your power winger. Inside them the passing looks laboured - so it just adds up to blah. As a whole the pack looks powerful but no one stands out as being explosive. Didn’t notice Sotutu at all, Papalii was industrious without standing out - Barnes looked really good comparison.
Compare that to the Chiefs who alway looked more threatening . Their backline had some snap, Taukeiaho and Vaii where a class above their opposites. The Blues always looked like they would lose even when they were ahead.
The Sam Nock hate continues. His mistake was not pulling the ball out from the mall that was moving forward. Yes he should have but turning point etc is overstating the error - that was 11 minutes out. They were still had Waikato in the corner until Perofeta was offside and didn’t retreat giving away a penalty. That released the pressure.
The problem with the Blues is their backline still doesn’t function ( but early in the season ) and they lack pace. Patrick Tuipulotu will make a huge difference to the forward pack.
Nothing against Sam Nock at all and I've wanted him to come right forever, but when he's making the same mistakes in year 10 of his Super Rugby career like he has been doing in year 1, then yes, it becomes extremely frustrating as supporters. He still doesn't know how to dictate the pace of rolling mauls and doesn't have a loud enough voice to boss his pack(s) around 83 games into his Super Rugby career despite having the tools to become a very good halfback.
Fin Christie cops plenty on here (some deserved, some not), so Nock deserves the same criticism when he continues to make the same mistakes.
@African-Monkey yep criticism is fine and for Sam as he has his limitations. But, that mistake wasn’t the turning point of the game. Just one of many by a lot of players. The bigger issue is why the Blues don’t have a functioning backline?
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@African-Monkey yep criticism is fine and for Sam as he has his limitations. But, that mistake wasn’t the turning point of the game. Just one of many by a lot of players. The bigger issue is why the Blues don’t have a functioning backline?
@kev said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
The bigger issue is why the Blues don’t have a functioning backline?
As you say - a huge part of it is selection. They have relatively poor 9s that never change season after season - a midfield that doesnt compliment each other - a fullback shoehorned on the wing and a fullback who lacks pace. They have players in their main squad like Peyton Spencer who never see the field and there's no room for guys like Saunoa in the main squad.
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@African-Monkey yep criticism is fine and for Sam as he has his limitations. But, that mistake wasn’t the turning point of the game. Just one of many by a lot of players. The bigger issue is why the Blues don’t have a functioning backline?
@kev said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@African-Monkey yep criticism is fine and for Sam as he has his limitations. But, that mistake wasn’t the turning point of the game. Just one of many by a lot of players. The bigger issue is why the Blues don’t have a functioning backline?
Yeah, seperate issue from Nock, but fair point. Ahki could be key to how we play. The midfield suggests that we will be playing a more direct approach if Ahki is there. If we were to look to use the ball off 12, the I'd say that Taele would be there.
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@kev said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
The bigger issue is why the Blues don’t have a functioning backline?
As you say - a huge part of it is selection. They have relatively poor 9s that never change season after season - a midfield that doesnt compliment each other - a fullback shoehorned on the wing and a fullback who lacks pace. They have players in their main squad like Peyton Spencer who never see the field and there's no room for guys like Saunoa in the main squad.
@KiwiMurph Yes, Christie is soooo slow...theres got to be a better option at 9
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@KiwiMurph Yes, Christie is soooo slow...theres got to be a better option at 9
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@Jailbreak7 Is Funaki injured?
@sparky said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Jailbreak7 Is Funaki injured?
No. He played in the curtain raiser for the Blues development team who beat the Chiefs equivalent 50-28
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@sparky said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Jailbreak7 Is Funaki injured?
No. He played in the curtain raiser for the Blues development team who beat the Chiefs equivalent 50-28
@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@sparky said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@Jailbreak7 Is Funaki injured?
No. He played in the curtain raiser for the Blues development team who beat the Chiefs equivalent 50-28
If he's used to winning I can see why the Blues coaching team don't pick him...
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Cheers BOK
BOK has sabotaged so many Blues games. Not sure if its malicious or incompetence.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Cheers BOK
BOK has sabotaged so many Blues games. Not sure if its malicious or incompetence.
@brodean said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Cheers BOK
BOK has sabotaged so many Blues games. Not sure if its malicious or incompetence.
Malicious. He's from the Crusaders region.
