Blues vs. Chiefs 2026
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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.
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So what is the sanction against BOK? That was an enormous mistake in a low scoring game. Players get dropped for large errors.. maybe he should ref development games for a month
@Duluth said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
So what is the sanction against BOK? That was an enormous mistake in a low scoring game. Players get dropped for large errors.. maybe he should ref development games for a month
Then go back to reffing club rugby in Blenheim for the rest of the season.
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Cheers BOK
I liked this bit:
The review concluded that Vaa'i's actions constituted leaving the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than simply diving forward to score a try, and that as a result the try should not have been awarded.
ahem:
@antipodean said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:BOK having a lend - Vai'i jumps over defenders, not a dive at the ground.
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@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.
@African-Monkey said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Malicious. He's from the Crusaders region.
Worse. He's a North Harbour ref now.
Personally, I think what Vaa'i did should be legal. He didn't dive over a ruck.
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Interesting coz Ben was messaged on Instagram afterwards and asked and he doubled down on the call saying it was legal. Can't remember the page that posted it but I'll try find it.
I thought it was an interesting call but he called it then and there, shit for the result when the game was close but what can ya do.
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Interesting coz Ben was messaged on Instagram afterwards and asked and he doubled down on the call saying it was legal. Can't remember the page that posted it but I'll try find it.
I thought it was an interesting call but he called it then and there, shit for the result when the game was close but what can ya do.
@Yeetyaah said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Interesting coz Ben was messaged on Instagram afterwards and asked and he doubled down on the call saying it was legal. Can't remember the page that posted it but I'll try find it.
I thought it was and interesting call but he called it then and there, shit for the result when the game was close but what can ya do.
I would have thought that fact both blues defenders dived off their feet immediately and fell into the ground would constitute Va’ai just jumping over two guys that were lying on the ground. It’s not like they were on their feet and attempting a tackle. If two players dive at your feet, I think it should be legal juts to jump over them, particularly if they hit the ground before you jump
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@Yeetyaah said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Interesting coz Ben was messaged on Instagram afterwards and asked and he doubled down on the call saying it was legal. Can't remember the page that posted it but I'll try find it.
I thought it was and interesting call but he called it then and there, shit for the result when the game was close but what can ya do.
I would have thought that fact both blues defenders dived off their feet immediately and fell into the ground would constitute Va’ai just jumping over two guys that were lying on the ground. It’s not like they were on their feet and attempting a tackle. If two players dive at your feet, I think it should be legal juts to jump over them, particularly if they hit the ground before you jump
@jimmyb said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
both blues defenders dived off their feet immediately and fell into the ground would constitute Va’ai just jumping over two guys that were lying on the ground
You have the sequence wrong. They were driving into a tackle exactly where a player diving at the line would be. They assumed the player would take a legal course to the line. TV jumps, then they wind up on the ground because of his illegal jump over tacklers
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@KiwiMurph said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:
Cheers BOK
I liked this bit:
The review concluded that Vaa'i's actions constituted leaving the ground to avoid a tackle, rather than simply diving forward to score a try, and that as a result the try should not have been awarded.
ahem:
@antipodean said in Blues vs. Chiefs 2026:BOK having a lend - Vai'i jumps over defenders, not a dive at the ground.
@antipodean yep, were several comments at the time that it was wrong.
BOK gave an explanation at the time as to awarding it, which was at odds as to how it looked.
Yeah it is odd how refs dont get 'sanctioned' like players would after a massive error, but I guess the 'ref pool' is significantly smaller.
